ANOTHER SEASON UNDERWAY – The Bucks 43rd NBA season begins tonight with the first game in a two-game road trip. After tonight's tilt against New Orleans, the Bucks head to Minneapolis to take on the Timberwolves October 29, before heading home to the Bradley Center on October 30 for the home opener against Charlotte.
CASHING IN ON FREE THROWS – In the preseason, the Bucks shot 83.2 percent (208-250) from the free throw line, which was first in the league. In his preseason debut Oct. 22 against Minnesota, Corey Maggette went to the foul line 20 times and connected on 17 of his attempts.
IMPRESSIVE IMPROVEMENTS – The Bucks made the largest improvement in the East last season and third-best in the NBA, winning 12 more games than they won the prior year (34-48 in 2008-09). From the 2007-08 season, the Bucks improved on their 26-56 record by 20 games. Milwaukee's 46 wins were their most wins since going 52- 30 in the 2000-01 season. The Bucks also won 30 games (31-21) against the Eastern Conference for the first time since posting a 33-21 mark in 2003-04.
The Bucks open their 2010-11 season tonight in New Orleans. This is the 26th consecutive year that the Bucks
have opened their season on the road. Over the past 25 seasons, the Bucks have gone 14-11 in those
openers.
Tonight is the second time the Bucks have played the Hornets in the season opener – the first time was in
Charlotte in the shortened NBA season (February 6, 1999. The Bucks won that game 113-107 in OT.)
Milwaukee carries a 1,790-1,622 (.525) all-time regular season record into its 43rd NBA season.
The Bucks finished the 2010 preseason with a 3-5 record. Overall, their preseason record is 178-260 with 27
years of .500 or better records out of 43.
Over the eight preseason games, Drew Gooden led the Bucks in scoring with 13.8 points in just under 22
minutes per game. Gooden also averaged 4.6 rebounds and 1.1 blocks.
Andrew Bogut played in the final three games of the exhibition schedule and averaged 8.7 points on 66.7
percent shooting, 5.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 2.7 blocks in approximately 20 minutes per game.
Last season, after compiling a 46-36 regular season record, the Bucks made it to the playoffs for the first time since the 2005-06 season. The Bucks stretched the series with Atlanta to the full seven games, but the Hawks were able to capitalize on their home court advantage and advance to the second round.
