Game Preview: Kings At Bucks

By JORDAN GARRETSON
STATS Writer

(AP) -- The Milwaukee Bucks are enjoying a level of success before the All-Star break not seen by the franchise in 14 years.

Led by a deep offensive attack, they appear poised Wednesday night to overwhelm the visiting Sacramento Kings, who seem be in a state of disarray with reports abound of another coaching move.

The Bucks (29-23) have won eight of 10 while shooting 48.2 percent from the field and 44.0 percent from 3-point range. They already have 14 more wins than they finished with last season and own their best pre-break record since the 2001-02 squad led by Ray Allen, Sam Cassell and Glenn Robinson was 28-18.

Milwaukee, which is 2 1/2 games behind fifth-place Cleveland in the Eastern Conference, hasn't finished above .500 since going 46-36 in 2009-10.

"For us, it's to stay at the 6 spot or move up," Jared Dudley said. "For us, we would love to get a get a first-round series at home."

Dudley scored 19 and was 5 of 5 from beyond the arc in Monday's 103-97 win over Brooklyn. It marked the Bucks' fifth straight home win, their longest in a single season since an eight-game streak from Feb. 20-March 22, 2010.

Seven players have averaged at least 10.6 points during Milwaukee's 8-2 stretch, led by Khris Middleton's 16.4 on 57.0 percent shooting. Middleton, Brandon Knight, O.J. Mayo and Dudley are all shooting 39.1 percent or better from long distance in that span with Dudley going 22 for 39 (56.4 percent).

Sacramento (18-33) has dropped 12 of 14 with four of its last eight opponents shooting 50.0 percent or better. The team reportedly remains in talks with George Karl to take over as coach following the All-Star break.

The Kings are 7-20 since interim coach Tyrone Corbin replaced Michael Malone, who guided them to an 11-13 start.

"I've been through a lot on my career," Corbin said. "It's a difficult time, but it's part of the job."

All-Star DeMarcus Cousins also addressed the situation after some interpreted his comments following Sunday's win over Phoenix as an indication that he was against Karl's potential hiring.

"I don't fire coaches or hire them," he told ESPN. "Everyone knows I liked and respected Coach Malone. I didn't want (his firing) to happen.

"I'm not involved in any coaching decisions right now. I've heard that George Karl is a great coach. If that is the direction that the organization chooses, I'll support it."

Milwaukee was 13 of 23 from long distance in a 108-107 win at Sacramento on Dec. 18, overcoming the Kings' season-best 56.7 percent field-goal shooting. Cousins had 27 points and 11 rebounds but missed the potential winning shot at the end after Zaza Pachulia put the Bucks ahead on a free throw with seven seconds left.

Milwaukee, which forced 21 turnovers in that contest, ranks second in the NBA forcing 17.0 per game and is 17-7 when its opponent commits at least 18. Sacramento averages 16.4 turnovers, ranking 27th.

Kings point guard Darren Collison could miss a fourth straight game with sprained right hip flexor.

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