Hornets at Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks aim for their 50th victory when they host the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday. Milwaukee has registered 50 wins 13 times in its history, but the figure hasn't been reached since the club went 52-30 during the 2000-01 campaign.
The Bucks rebounded from their first set of back-to-back losses this season to rout Indiana 117-98 on Thursday. All-Star forwards Giannis Antetokounmpo (29 points, 12 rebounds) and Khris Middleton (27 points) each turned in fine performances as Milwaukee regained its stride. Charlotte has lost four straight visits to Milwaukee but will be looking to ride the momentum of Friday's 112-111 home victory over Washington. The Hornets are in a virtual tie with Orlando for ninth place in the Eastern Conference - one game behind Miami for the final postseason berth.
TV: 9 p.m. ET, FS Southeast (Charlotte), FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee)
ABOUT THE HORNETS (30-35): Veteran forward Marvin Williams realizes the importance of every game down the stretch and stepped up on Friday by scoring a season-high 30 points and matching his career best of seven 3-pointers. "We are in a position where our season is on the line, and I think everybody understands that," Williams told reporters. "All you can ask right now is to go out and give maximum effort." All-Star point guard Kemba Walker scored 18 points but was just 6-for-19 from the floor and is 16-for-57 over his last three games.
ABOUT THE BUCKS (49-16): Milwaukee has won an NBA-high 21 games by 15 or more points as it continues to enjoy a superb season. Middleton, who averages 17.6 points, has scored 20 or more in five of his last seven contests and is averaging 21.6 during that span. Antetokounmpo has collected at least 25 points and 10 rebounds on 35 occasions , the fifth-most in franchise history, and also has posted 46 double-doubles while averaging 27.1 points, 12.6 rebounds and six assists.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Bucks won two of their previous three meetings with the Hornets this season, including a 113-112 home victory on Oct. 17.
2. Charlotte F Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (knee) departed Friday's game and is uncertain to face Milwaukee.
3. Milwaukee G Donte DiVincenzo (heel) scored five points in nine minutes against the Pacers after missing the previous two months.