Milwaukee @ Sacramento preview

Last Meeting ( Feb 27, 2019 ) Milwaukee 141, Sacramento 140

The Milwaukee Bucks look to improve on the NBA's best record when they visit the Sacramento Kings on Friday. A Milwaukee victory would also give the Bucks the best 40-game start in franchise history, topping a 33-7 run by the 1970-71 squad led by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

The Bucks split their past two games - a 126-104 loss to the San Antonio Spurs and a 107-98 win over the Golden State Warriors - and coach Mike Budenholzer isn't happy with the performances. "Both games, we're not playing with the pace or the force or the movement," Budenholzer said after the win over the Warriors. "And we need to shoot it a little better too. ... It just hasn't been our best two games." Sacramento won three of its past four games and overcame a 21-point deficit on Tuesday to record a 114-103 road win over the Phoenix Suns. Point guard De'Aaron Fox scored a team-best 27 points in the game and is averaging 23 over the past four games.

TIME: 10 p.m. ET. TV: FS Wisconsin, NBCS California

ABOUT THE BUCKS (33-6): Milwaukee shot just 40 percent in the loss to San Antonio and the mark inched up to 40.2 against Golden State, leaving mixed feelings for Budenholzer. "It didn't feel like we were sharp offensively," Budenholzer told reporters. "Sometimes you have to find a way to win the ugly games and I'm proud of the group for that." Star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo had 30 points and 13 rebounds against the Warriors, but he was just 1-of-7 from 3-point range, and is 1-of-12 over the past two games.

ABOUT THE KINGS (15-23): Harry Giles III made his first career start in the frontcourt and center Dewayne Dedmon emerged from his benching as Sacramento was shorthanded against Phoenix with Richaun Holmes (shoulder) sidelined and the continued absence of Marvin Bagley III (foot). Giles had eight points and eight rebounds in 16 minutes while Dedmon, who recently was fined $50,000 by the NBA for publicly requesting a trade, posted his first double-double of the season with 12 points and 10 rebounds. "He's done a nice job of keeping himself ready," Sacramento coach Luke Walton said afterward of Dedmon, who had played just seven minutes since Dec. 6 heading into the game against the Suns. "He took full advantage, played for his teammates just like that whole group did."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Bucks won the past six meetings.

2. Milwaukee G George Hill (illness) hopes to return after a one-game absence.

3. Sacramento reserve SG Bogdan Bogdanovic (ankle) will likely miss his fourth straight game.

PREDICTION: Bucks 117, Kings 106