Mar 20, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks small forward Josh Smith (5) brings the ball past Milwaukee Bucks center Larry Sanders (8) during the second half at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Bucks 98-90. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

So far this week, the Milwaukee Bucks have faced off against two Eastern Conference Playoff teams — the Pacers and Hawks — on the road. In those two games, Milwaukee went 0-2, with an average point differential of 16 and an average shooting percentage of 34%. Needless to say, the Bucks are very much looking forward to the next row on the calendar.

But before they can start a new week, the Bucks (34-34, 18-16 home) will look to bounce back on their home floor as they welcome the Atlanta Hawks (37-31, 16-18 road)- a team they’re chasing in the Eastern Conference playoff race- to the BMO Harris Bradley Center on Sunday afternoon (tip-off at 2:00 PM CT, no local TV).

Despite losing in Atlanta in Tuesday, the Bucks are just three games back in the loss column to the Hawks, who currently hold the 5th spot in the Eastern Conference. Milwaukee sits just 1.5 games back of Boston for the 7th spot, while Atlanta is chasing Brooklyn for the conference’s 4th seed and opening round home court advantage. With Atlanta winning the first two meetings between the two, they’ll look to win the playoff tiebreaker in this game.

The Bucks are Hawks are meeting for the second time in four days, as the two squared off in Atlanta on Wednesday. Milwaukee’s poor shooting night (37.4% from the field) along with a lackadasical defensive performance (that allowed Jeff Teague to drop 27 points and 11 assists) resulted in a 98-90 loss

Milwaukee’s offensive struggles the last two games can largely be accredited to Ersan Ilyasova‘s absence due to a hip injury he sustained a week ago today vs. Orlando. Ersan had been playing spectacular basketball before his injury and really provided a steady scoring option for the Bucks. When Ilyasova is spreading the floor, it opens up opportunities for everyone else — especially Brandon Jennings and Monta Ellis — to get to the basket.

It looks as if the Bucks will get their X-Factor back for Sunday afternoon’s game.

Projected Lineups

Hawks: Jeff Teague, Devin Harris,  Kyle Korver, Josh Smith, Al Horford
Bucks: Brandon Jennings, Monta Ellis, Marquis Daniels, Ersan Ilyasova, Larry Sanders

Injury Report

Zaza Pachulia (achilles): out
Ivan Johnson (back spasms): gametime decision
Ersan Ilyasova (left hip pain): likely to play
Luc Mbah a Moute (turf toe): out

The Four Factors

Defense wins games over the Atlanta Hawks. Winning games over the Atlanta Hawks helps secure the 7th seed.

Jan 19, 2013; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard (0) drives past Milwaukee Bucks point guard Brandon Jennings (3) at the Rose Garden. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports

The Bucks (33-32, 17-16 home) will have their hands full Tuesday night as they square off against Rookie of the Year front-runner Damian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers (31-35, 9-24 away) at the BMO Harris Bradley Center.

The last meeting between these two was played exactly two months ago on January 19th in Portland. It was the final game of Milwaukee’s week-long road trip, and the team was just seven games in to the Jim Boylan Era.

Ersan Ilyasova played arguably his best game of the season, scoring 27 points on 10-14 shooting and grabbing 14 rebounds in 27 minutes. Brandon Jennings added 30 points and 8 assists in route to a 110-104 Milwaukee victory. Oh yeah, Larry Sanders was also ejected after receiving a double technical for arguing with Joey Crawford. Since then, the Bucks are 12-14 and the Trail Blazers are 11-15.

The Bucks should have the fresh legs in this one, as Portland’s second half push fell short last night in Philadelphia. LaMarcus Aldridge missed a potential game winner at the buzzer, and the Sixers took down the Blazers 101-100. Milwaukee’s last game was a 115-109 victory over Orlando Sunday afternoon.

The Trail Blazers — 4.0 games back of the 8th seed in the Western Conference — may look at this game as a “must win” for their playoff hopes after their loss Monday. The Bucks, who currently sit in in the East’s final playoff spot, are just 2.5 games behind Chicago/Boston for the oh-so-coveted 7th seed and the opportunity to avoid a first-round matchup with the Miami Heat.  Atlanta lost too, leaving the Bucks just three games of the 5th spot in the East.

Projected Lineups

Blazers: Damian Lillard, Wesley Matthews, Nicolas Batum, LaMarcus Aldridge, J.J. Hickson
Bucks: Brandon Jennings, Monta Ellis, Marquis Daniels, Ekpe Udoh, Larry Sanders

Injuries

Luc Mbah a Moute will not play for the Bucks as he continues to battle his turf toe injury. Ersan Ilyasova -- who has averaged 22.3 points and 13.3 rebounds per game over the last three contests – missed Monday’s practice after sustaining injuries to his lower back and hip in Sunday’s win over Orlando. He’s listed as questionable, but it doesn’t sound like Ersan will be able to go Tuesday.

Numbers

As you can see, the Bucks and Blazers are two very similar teams when it comes to the numbers, one right behind the other when it comes to ‘Four Factors’. All indications point to this one being another close, down-to-the-wire game for the Bucks.