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- Magic forward Tobias Harris is making his first appearance in Milwaukee since being traded by the Bucks in the J.J. Redick deal last month. Just 20, Harris is becoming a key in Orlando’s youth movement. In 11 games with the Magic, he’s averaging 15.9 points and 7.3 rebounds. “I’m excited to be in this situation and grateful for it,” Harris said. “I’m just trying to take advantage of it.” Harris was traded, along with Beno Udrih and rookie Doron Lamb for Redick, forward/center Gustavo Ayon and point guard Ish Smith. “He’s been really good for us,” said Magic coach Jacque Vaughn. I think you learn about individuals as time goes a little bit. My initial impression is he’s been pretty good, whether it’s attention to detail in practice and film, just his overall effort on a daily basis.”
- Bucks forward Luc Richard Mbah a Moute will miss his fourth straight game with a sprained toe. Mbah a Moute does not appear close to returning. The first two games Mbah a Moute missed, Mike Dunleavy started in his place. Marquis Daniels started Friday night against Miami and will start again today. Daniels scored the Bucks’ first eight points Friday and finished with 14, despite the fact he was starting mostly to guard LeBron James on the defensive end. “Marquis played really well,” Bucks coach Jim Boylan said. “It’s what you hope for when you call on a guy, and Marquis has been a real pro for us. He’s been patient when he hasn’t played and he’s been a positive influence in the locker room and on the bench.”
- The game marks just the second afternoon start for the Bucks and the fourth for Orlando. “Guys are so routine and regimented that it’s just different,” Vaughn said. “You approach the night before and we have shootaroound basically on the practice the day before. Do you go to bed earlier? When do you wake up to eat? How much do you eat? So, routine-wise it throws you off a little bit.” The Bucks also play an afternoon game at home next Sunday against Atlanta. “It’s always an odd time,” Boylan said. “It’s always a change. Back in the old days there used to be a lot more of these day games, but now everybody’s mostly playing in the evening. It’s different. You’ve got to get the guys ready, you’ve got to get them up earlier. So it’s always interesting to see which team is going to come out a little flat, a little slow, who’s ready, who’s not.”
- How’s this for a numbers game? The Bucks are 16-16 at home, 16-16 on the road, they were 16-16 under Scott Skiles and are now 16-16 under Boylan. … Dunleavy has gone scoreless in the last two games. That’s the first time he’s played two games without scoring since his rookie season in 2002-’03.
– Rick Braun
