Spurs at Bucks
THE STORY: Two of the NBA's biggest homers tangle Tuesday when the San Antonio Spurs visit the Milwaukee Bucks. San Antonio is off to a strong start, while the Bucks are scuffling - and both teams can partially thank the schedule makers for their current situations. The Spurs have played six of their first nine games in San Antonio, and have won all six while going 0-3 on the road. The Bucks have had a vastly different start, opening with six of eight games away from Milwaukee - and losing all six while prevailing in their only two home games. A return to Wisconsin couldn't come quickly enough for the Bucks, who battled hard but were overmatched during a five-game Western Conference trek that saw them lose three games by six or fewer points. A major reason for their struggles has been the absence of center Andrew Bogut, who will finally return to the lineup after missing four games to attend to a family matter in his native Australia. The Spurs are coming off a 12-point loss in Oklahoma City on Sunday.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Southwest, Fox Sports Wisconsin
ABOUT THE SPURS (6-3): San Antonio fans held their collective breaths after point guard Tony Parker left midway through Sunday's defeat. Parker departed with general soreness but could have returned if needed, though with the Thunder up 22 through three quarters there was no need. The Spurs can ill afford to do without Parker after losing veteran star and team scoring leader Manu Ginobili to a broken metatarsal in his left hand last week.
ABOUT THE BUCKS (2-6): Bogut's mysterious absence is all but forgotten in Milwaukee, where he's expected to add some much needed bulk to the frontcourt. The Bucks were outrebounded in three of their five games out West - twice by more than 10 boards - and will welcome the return of Bogut, who is averaging 14.3 points and a team-best 10 rebounds. Bogut has been especially strong against San Antonio in his career, with averages of 14.4 points and 10.9 boards.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. San Antonio won the only two meetings between the clubs last season. Both games were decided by fewer than eight points.
2. Bucks G Brandon Jennings had an up-and-down trip, posting score lines of 12, eight, 31, 21 and five points. He's averaging 18.1 for the season.
3. Parker averages 15.6 points and seven assists in 19 career meetings with Milwaukee.