Moussa Cisse

Dallas Mavericks (19-27, 12th in the Western Conference) vs. Milwaukee Bucks (18-26, 11th in the Eastern Conference)Milwaukee; Sunday, 7 p.m. ESTBETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Bucks -1.5; over/under is 219.5BOTTOM LINE: Milwaukee looks to end its three-game home skid with a win over Dallas.The Bucks have gone 9-12 in home games. Milwaukee averages 14.0 turnovers per game and is 8-7 when it turns the ball over less than its opponents.The Mavericks are 5-15 in road games. Dallas is the leader in the Western Conference scoring 19.0 fast break points per game led by Cooper Flagg averaging 3.3.The Bucks are shooting 48.1% from the field this season, 1.9 percentage points higher than the 46.2% the Mavericks allow to opponents. The Mavericks average 114.3 points per game, 1.2 fewer than the 115.5 the Bucks allow.The teams square off for the second time this season. The Bucks won the last matchup 116-114 on Nov. 11. Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 30 points to help lead the Bucks to the win.TOP PERFORMERS: Myles Turner is averaging 12.4 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.6 blocks for the Bucks. Bobby Portis is averaging 13.2 points over the last 10 games.Naji Marshall is scoring 14.7 points per game and averaging 4.9 rebounds for the Mavericks. Klay Thompson is averaging 3.8 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.LAST 10 GAMES: Bucks: 4-6, averaging 108.0 points, 41.4 rebounds, 26.6 assists, 6.8 steals and 3.9 blocks per game while shooting 46.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 114.0 points per game.Mavericks: 6-4, averaging 117.2 points, 46.4 rebounds, 26.3 assists, 7.8 steals and 4.3 blocks per game while shooting 48.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 113.2 points.INJURIES: Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo: out (calf), AJ Green: day to day (illness), Kevin Porter Jr.: out (oblique), Gary Trent Jr.: day to day (illness), Taurean Prince: out (neck).Mavericks: Dereck Lively II: out for season (foot), Moussa Cisse: day to day (illness), Kyrie Irving: out (knee), Dante Exum: out for season (knee), Anthony Davis: out (hand).___The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Gafford is set to return following a four-game absence. According to head coach Jason Kidd on Friday, "Gaff did shootaround. He did everything. He'll be ready to go tomorrow." Gafford's return should send Dwight Powell back to the bench and eliminate the streaming appeal of he and Moussa Cisse.

Gafford will miss a fourth consecutive game, leaving the Mavericks to once again rely on Dwight Powell and Moussa Cisse at the center position. While the former has been the starter, the latter offers a higher fantasy upside. At a minimum, Cisse is worth rostering in deep dynasty leagues.

Gafford has missed the Mavericks' last three games with a sprained ankle. While Dwight Powell started Monday's win over the Knicks, reserve Moussa Cisse was more productive. That will likely be the rotation on Thursday if Gafford remains out, but Cisse is also questionable due to an illness.

Gafford played 18 minutes before exiting Wednesday's game with a sprained right ankle. That's the same ankle that caused two separate multi-game absences earlier this season. Dwight Powell's playing time has increased, as Moussa Cisse is on assignment with the Mavericks' G League affiliate. Gafford finished with six points and 10 rebounds.