Bucks at Thunder
THE STORY: With several teams still facing several playoff scenarios, the Oklahoma City Thunder enter Wednesday's regular-season finale against the visiting Milwaukee Bucks knowing they'll get either Denver or Portland in the opening round of the post-season. The Thunder look for a series sweep of the Bucks following a narrow win in their first meeting Nov. 20 in Milwaukee. The Bucks wind down a disappointing season that began with playoff aspirations but will end with the club on the outside of the East playoff picture.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, FSWI, FSOK
ABOUT THE THUNDER (55-26): Fans who went into the year excited about Oklahoma City's chances at becoming an elite Western Conference team weren't disappointed in the least. The fresh-faced Thunder rolled to their first division title since moving from Seattle, while boasting one of the conference's best home records at 30-10 entering Wednesday. If the Thunder win and the Dallas Mavericks lose against visiting New Orleans, Oklahoma City will open against the Trail Blazers. If the Thunder lose or the Mavericks win, it will be Oklahoma City facing division-rival Denver in round one.
ABOUT THE BUCKS (34-47): Milwaukee was the surprise team of the 2009-10 season, posting 46 victories before bowing out in the first round of the playoffs. The Bucks hoped to improve on their strong showing of a season ago, but injuries and inconsistency plagued the team from the outset. Their playoff chances officially ended last week, thanks in large part to a 12-28 mark away from Milwaukee. The Bucks come in having posted back-to-back wins over league doormats Cleveland and Toronto, and will be looking to end the season on a strong note. They'll have to do it without center Andrew Bogut, who underwent elbow surgery Tuesday.
WHO'S HOT/WHO'S NOT: Thunder superstar Kevin Durant is averaging more than 30 points per game during his team's five-game winning streak, putting him on the verge of locking up his second consecutive scoring title. Bucks guard Brandon Jennings is hot of late, averaging 22 points over his last three outings.
KEY STATISTIC: 104.8 – The Thunder's points-per-game average, good for fifth in the league. While that should help them against a Portland side averaging just 96.4 points per contest, they might still have their hands full in a playoff series with Denver. The Nuggets lead the NBA at 107.5 points per game.
SEASON SERIES: Oklahoma City gutted out an 82-81 win over the Bucks in their previous encounter. James Harden led the way with 23 points as the Thunder prevailed without Durant, who missed the game with a sprained left ankle.
KEY INJURIES: OKLAHOMA CITY: None. MILWAUKEE: F Jon Brockman (shoulder); C Andrew Bogut (elbow).
LAST WORD: Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook will achieve a rare milestone Wednesday, having played in all 82 games for the third straight season. He hasn't missed a game since coming into the league.