Please wish Bucks rookie Joe Alexander a belated happy birthday as he celebrated his 22nd on December 26 or, better yet, stop by Bucks.com to vote Joe into the 2009 Slam Dunk Contest. He is one of three rookie candidates eligible to be voted into the contest.

The Bucks are 5-0 at home with tonight’s game against Detroit their final Bradley Center game in December. The last time Milwaukee went undefeated in a month at home was December of 2006 (7-0)

In each of their last three games, the Bucks have led at the end of each quarter (using cumulative score, not individual quarters). Over their last six games, Milwaukee has trailed at the end of just one quarter – the final of their game against Philadelphia.

The last three Bucks opponents have scored less than 20 points in the first quarter. Milwaukee is 8-0 on the season when foes tally 19 or less in the game’s first 12 minutes.

The Bucks have won the turnover battle in nine of their 11 December games (one tie and one loss). They’ve averaged 14.0 turnovers this month compared to 17.9 for their foes. That’s translated to a 20.5 to 15.7 edge in points off turnovers this month (+4.8).

Luke Ridnour’s six steals against Utah on Tues were a Bucks season-best and also the top total of his career.

Over the last three games Bucks opponents have turned the ball over an average of 21.0 times (63) to the tune of 23.7 points for Milwaukee (71).

Luke Ridnour has shot 54.0 percent (27-50) from the floor over his last six games… Over his last two he’s handed out 25 assists against six turnovers (4.17:1 assist-to-turnover ratio).on the trip.