The Milwaukee Bucks were hoping this season would be different than the previous three, when scoring threat Michael Redd missed significant time due to injuries.
After just two games, it's looking similar.
Coming off their first victory, the Bucks return to the court without Redd - expected to be out at least two weeks with a strained left knee tendon - Tuesday night when they visit a Chicago Bulls team trying to avoid a third straight loss.
Milwaukee (1-1) has missed the playoffs each of the last three seasons with Redd sidelined for 88 games in that span, primarily because of injuries to his left knee.
Those knee problems resurfaced in Saturday's 96-85 win over Detroit.
Redd, who finished with 17 points and six assists in Friday's season-opening 99-86 loss at Philadelphia, left during the third quarter Saturday with left knee soreness. He underwent an MRI Sunday and the team disclosed the extent of his injury Monday.
Redd tore two ligaments in the same knee on Jan. 24 and missed the rest of last season, but said he felt healthy and stronger than ever coming into training camp. The Bucks were 17-16 with Redd in the lineup last season but 17-32 without him.
Without Redd in the lineup, rookie Brandon Jennings may become Milwaukee's top scoring option.
Jennings, the 10th overall pick of this year's draft, is making a smooth transition to the pro game.
After finishing with 17 points, nine rebounds and nine assists in the opener, Jennings had 24 points while shooting 9 of 15 against the Pistons. The point guard made big plays in clutch situations, scoring 21 in the second half.
"He came out in the third quarter and gave us a huge lift,'' coach Scott Skiles said. "(He) got in the zone there for a little while and once again showed you another element of his game.''
Perhaps Jennings can help the Bucks turn the tide against Chicago. The Bulls (1-2) have won seven straight home games over Milwaukee since a 93-92 loss Jan. 2, 2006, and 10 of the last 12 meetings overall.
Chicago is hoping a return to the United Center, where it has won 15 of 17 dating to last season, can help it get back on track after suffering a 118-90 loss at Boston on Friday, and a 95-87 defeat in Miami on Sunday.
The Bulls had a chance to beat the Heat, leading 70-69 after three quarters, but missed 16 of 21 shots in the final 12 minutes.
"We didn't get stops when we needed and we didn't make shots when we had to,'' Chicago coach Vinny Del Negro said. "We had good looks, we had open shots, we just didn't knock them down.''
Chicago's biggest offensive struggles have come from 3-point range, where it's shooting a league-worst 16.3 percent (7 for 43). The Bulls had much better success from beyond the arc last season against the Bucks, shooting 44.9 percent (22 of 49) while winning three of four contests.
Point guard Derrick Rose struggled to find his shot Sunday, finishing with eight points on 4-of-15 shooting. He averaged 18.5 points and 8.3 assists against Milwaukee as a rookie in 2008-09.
