[narek]

Teams: Bucks (10-14) vs. Sacramento Kings (10-14).

When: 7 tonight.

Where: Bradley Center.

Broadcasts: TV - None. Radio - AM-620.

About the Kings: Turnabout is fair play. When the Bucks lost in Sacramento on Dec. 10, it was their final stop on a five-game trip. Now the Bucks catch the Kings on the end of a five-game trip. Since the Bucks last saw the Kings, they have lost in Boston, won in Philadelphia and lost in Washington. Sacramento won in New Jersey Tuesday night.

PLAYER TO WATCH
JOHN SALMONS, Kings: He filled in well as a starter for the first seven games of the season at small forward when Ron Artest was suspended and now in eight games at shooting guard after Kevin Martin went down with a groin injury. As a starter, Salmons is averaging 15.2 points and has scored 20 or more points seven times, including in a victory over Milwaukee earlier this season when he scored 22 points.


LINEUPS
PROBABLE KINGS STARTERS

Player Ht. From
G-Beno Udrih 6-3 Slovenia
G-John Salmons 6-6 Miami, Fla.
F-Mikki Moore 7-0 Nebraska
F-Ron Artest 6-7 St. John's
C-Brad Miller 7-0 Purdue


Coach: Reggie Theus (first season).

Injury report: Mike Bibby (left thumb), Kevin Martin (right groin), and Shareef Abdur-Rahim (right knee) are out.

PROBABLE BUCKS STARTERS

Player Ht. From
G-Mo Williams 6-1 Alabama
G-Michael Redd 6-6 Ohio State
C-Andrew Bogut 7-0 Utah
F-Desmond Mason 6-5 Okla. State
F-Yi Jianlian 7-0 China


Coach: Larry Krystkowiak (second season).

Injury report: Michael Ruffin (left wrist) and David Noel (wrist) are out.

THE SERIES
The Bucks lost on Dec. 10 in Sacramento, 96-93. The Bucks beat the Kings here last season, breaking a five-game home losing streak against Sacramento.

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=698233

[narek]

Bucks forward Charlie Villanueva will miss tonight's game against Sacramento due to a sprained right ankle he suffered in practice on Tuesday.

But it appears the injury is not too serious and he might be available on Saturday night against Charlotte. Villanueva twisted the ankle as he drove to the basket, and his foot landed on the foot of Bucks reserve Awvee Storey.

"I'll be fine," Villanueva said. "It's still bothering me. I can't really jump off it or push off it. I'm just going to take it slow and listen to my body.

"In the past, I tried not to listen to my body and it resulted in surgery. I'm listening to my body this time."

Villanueva finished with 11 points and seven rebounds in 22 minutes in the Bucks' 96-93 loss to Sacramento on Dec. 10. He is averaging 8.8 points and 5.0 rebounds while playing 19.7 minutes per game.

http://blogs.jsonline.com/bucks/arch...ht-s-game.aspx

[roux2dope]

No TV...lame.

[narek]

Originally Posted by roux2dope

No TV...lame.

It may have been merciful. Over 20 turnovers. Fell apart at the end again.

[narek]

PLAYER OF THE GAME: Kings guard Beno Udrih made all four of his shots in the fourth quarter, including 3 three-pointers, to help bury the Bucks. He finished with 24 points on 9-of-13 shooting, including 6 of 7 from three-point range. "He understands who he is and what he does for us," Kings coach Reggie Theus said. "He was looking for his shot early in the game and it wasn't falling, but he just stayed with it."

PLAY OF THE GAME: A three-pointer by Udrih gave Sacramento a 96-87 lead with 2 minutes 28 seconds left and sealed the Bucks' fate. It was one of 5 three-pointers by the Kings in the fourth quarter.

STATISTICS SHEET: The Kings made their first seven shots and 11 of their first 12 in taking a 26-16 lead. Sacramento ended up shooting 66.7% in the first quarter and held a 28-26 lead. But the Kings then made 5 of 21 shots in the second quarter (23.8%) and trailed by one at halftime.

OFF THE BENCH: Bucks coach Larry Krystkowiak started Charlie Bell in the second half in place of small forward Desmond Mason, who suffered a left-thumb sprain in the first half. Mason said after the game that the thumb was sore, but he wasn't sure how seriously it was injured.

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=698754