Center Andrew Bogut, out for the last two weeks with a contusion on his lower left leg, will return to the lineup for the 7 p.m. Game against Chicago.
With Bogut's return, the Bucks will again have their second-leading scorer (16.1 points per game) and leading rebounder (seven per game); something the team has been sorely lacking during its four-game losing streak.
The Bucks are second in the league, averaging 44.4 boards per night, trailing only the Los Angeles Lakers (46.25). With Bogut, the Bucks have one of the best rebounders in the league cleaning the glass.
In their last five games, the Bucks have averaged just 40 boards per night (18th in the NBA) while opponents have pulled down a league-leading 51.2.
"We're a for sure top-five and for sure a top-three rebounding team when Andrew plays," Skiles said. "When he doesn't, we fall off significantly. That's been a big issue in these games."
Doctors originally said he'd miss two to four weeks, but Bogut made progress in his rehabilitation late last week and started feeling much better.
"I knew I'd be back sooner or later by the way I made progress every day," Bogut said."Obviously, I haven't played in a game but I'm pretty much pain-free. There's some soreness and stiffness till, which is normal, but I feel pretty good."
Skiles wasn't sure how much action Bogut will see as the fifth-year player hasn't been exposed to contact since being injured on Nov. 19.
"He probably won't play 38 minutes or anything like that, but he'll play," Skiles said. "We'll monitor him while he's out there and evaluate him and make decisions based on that."
Hot hand Luke: Luke Ridnour has been quietly putting together some very impressive numbers. Though decimal points put him sixth on the team, he's scoring an average of 11 points a night - lumping him in with Hakim Warrick and Ersan Ilyasova.
Those points are coming effectively, too, as Ridnour has been hot of late, shooting at a 51.5 percent click. He's recorded double-doubles in two of his last five games and is averaging 14.8 points on 54 percent shooting over his last eight, going nine for 19 from beyond the arc in those contests.
"Luke, in many ways, has been our most consistent player," said head coach Scott Skiles. "His effort is there every night, he's made some shots and he's played well, defensively.
"I've put him in some terrible positions where he had had to defend some really big people. He's played really well for us."
As much as Ridnour has been a more-than-capable backup to Jennings this season - something that will come in handy as the rigors of the NBA season begin to take their toll on the 20-year-old's body - he's also been productive playing the same backcourt with Jennings.
With both Jennings and Ridnour in the lineup, Skiles is able to take some pressure off his rookie without losing much in terms of play-making ability.
"You get at least pockets of opportunity to not have to handle the ball all the time," Skiles said. "He can be off the ball, catch it and make a play which he may not normally have.
"The teams that have tried to get aggressive and trap Brandon, he's been able to pass off to another ball handler and playmaker. "
Skiles admitted that it was Ridnour that had the better exhibition season but opted to make Jennings his starter at the point. Ridnour split time with Ramon Sessions last season took the news, Skiles said, in stride.
"I told him the day after our last exhibition game that Brandon was going to start the season-opener," Skiles said. "Obviously, it was a tough pill to swallow but he worked hard in practice and has been a real professional."
Ridnour's future was the subject of speculation heading into the season, even before the Bucks selected Jennings.
Sessions was a restricted free agent (he eventually signed with Minnesota) and Ridnour's contract expires at the end of the season.
General manager John Hammond, who has been working to both improve the team and create workable cap space, said he wasn't intent of dealing the 30-year-old Ridnour and is open to the idea of keeping him around beyond the season.
"In the NBA you can never have too many players," Hammond said. "More importantly, you can never have too many people like Luke in the organization or on your team. He's an extraordinary man.
"We would love to have Luke here long-term. End of day, its a business and he has to do what's best for him self, also."
Redd still out: Guard Michael Redd will miss tonight's game against Chicago, his second straight.
In his first game back since straining his left patella tendon nearly on Oct. 31, Redd logged 11 minutes Monday at San Antonio and played 30 minutes against New Orleans two nights later, but was just 4-of-11 from the field.
He started Friday night and scored eight points in 22 minutes in the Bucks 108-90 loss at Oklahoma City but said afterwards that his knee didn't feel quite right.
"He's got a sore knee and he's out," Skiles said. "That's all I know."
Mbah a Moute, too: Luc Richard Mbah Moute continues to rehab his sprained left foot. He won't play tonight, but Skiles said he is making progress. Getting Mbah a Moute back would be another big boost as he's one of the better rebounders and defenders on the team.
Jump shots: Tonight's game will be the 500th of Ridnour's career and he needs just five steals to reach 500. ... The 100-98 loss to Orlando Saturday snapped the Bucks' three-game home-court winning streak. ... Jennings' 22.3 pointsand 5.5 assists per game lead all NBA rookies; his .486 three-point percentage is fifth among first-year players and seventh in the league, overall. ... The Bucks' bench has outscored opponents reserves in 11 of 15 games this season. ... Charlie Bell played in his 300th career game Friday night at Oklahoma City. ... Hakim Warrick has averaged 17 points and seven rebounds over his last four games. ... Milwaukee is fourth in the league, forcing opponents into 16.8 turnovers per game. ... Carlos Delfino is averaging 10.7 points on 51.6 percent shooting in his last seven games.
