"It seems a bit early to be thinking about the playoffs.

But in this compressed National Basketball Association season, it's never too early.

The Milwaukee Bucks already have played 25 games and will be halfway through their 66-game schedule when the all-star break hits in less than two weeks.

They have experienced some sweet highs, including two victories over Miami and a home victory over the Los Angeles Lakers, and some definite lows - a blowout home loss to Chicago, squandering a 21-point lead in Sacramento and an 0-5 western trip.

But they are in the eighth and final playoff position in the Eastern Conference with an 11-14 record, barely ahead of Cleveland (10-14) and the New York Knicks (11-15)."