The Milwaukee Bucks clinched a spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs after their 79-74 road win over the Chicago Bulls.  The Bogut-less Bucks were led by former Bull, John Salmons.  Salmons lit up his former team for 26 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists in an otherwise offensively challenged game.  The Bucks also got a great game from Ersa Ilyasova, who gave them 17 points, 7 rebounds, and 1 block off the bench.  The Bucks responded well without their star player Andrew Bogut, who is out for the year after his gruesome elbow injury the other night.  The Bucks are currently in fifth place in the Eastern Conference, but the red-hot Miami Heat are right on their tails so they need to finish the season strong.

Kurt Thomas will likely be the Bucks’ new starting center for the rest of the year. He has played in 64 games (3 starts) this season for the Bucks and he is averaging 13.6 minutes, 2.8 points, 3.6 rebounds and 0.5 assists per game. Thomas is shooting 50.3% from the floor but the Bucks have enough scorers on the team already. If Thomas hits the boards and plays good D that would be enough for the Bucks.

The Bucks have lost starting center Andrew Bogut for the season due to a dislocated right elbow, a sprained wrist and a broken right hand. Bogut played in 69 games (all starts) for the Bucks this season and he averaged 32.3 minutes, 15.9 points, 10.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 2.5 blocked shots. He also shot 52% from the floor this season for the Bucks. This is a huge blow to the Bucks as Bogut is the best player on the team. He is impossible to replace so any chance of the Bucks pulling an upset in the first round of the playoffs is likely gone now.