This is the second time Jefferson is facing the Nets (21-27), the team he spent the first seven years of his career with before being traded in the summer to Milwaukee (24-27) for forwards Yi Jianlian and Bobby Simmons. Jefferson scored 13 points on 3-of-15 shooting in his first meeting against them back on Jan. 9 in a 104-102 win.

Jefferson said the meeting was only important because of the standings, but he and former teammate Vince Carter shared laughs before the game.

"I just tried to keep him in a good mood. Don't want to (tick) someone like that off," Jefferson said. "We don't get to see each other that often, so whenever you do, you've got to crack a few jokes."

Jefferson's return to the Izod Center will likely be more emotional. He left as New Jersey's second all-time leading scorer with 8,507 points, and played a part in leading the Nets to six straight playoff appearances from 2002-07, including trips to the NBA finals in 2002 and 2003.

This game also has obvious implications in the standings, since both teams are part of a crowded race for one of the last playoff spots in the East.

Jefferson has additional motivation Tuesday as the Bucks look to win three straight for the second time this season. The Bucks are coming off a 110-107 win over Atlanta on Saturday.

Charlie Villanueva scored 27 points and added seven rebounds and a season-high six assists while Jefferson and Ramon Sessions each had 20 points. Villanueva, who is averaging 15.2 points this season, has averaged 24.5 in the last eight games and 27.0 points in the last three.

"It was a big game for me," said Villanueva, who was 8-of-15 from the floor, including 4-of-7 from 3-point range. "I played a lot of minutes in yesterday's win. I just tried to follow up on that. I just got to keep it up and keep playing with the energy I have been playing with."

With the win, the Bucks improved to 2-2 since Michael Redd went down with a season-ending ACL and MCL tear in his left knee last week.

The Nets, meanwhile, return home after a brutal stretch that featured plenty of road games. Beginning with their trip to Milwaukee last month, they have dropped nine of 12, with eight of those games coming on the road, including losses in Boston, New Orleans and San Antonio.

New Jersey is coming off an 85-83 win over Philadelphia on Saturday, snapping a three-game losing streak. Brook Lopez scored 24 points and added 17 rebounds while Devin Harris scored 17 points.

Carter finished with seven points, playing only two minutes in the fourth quarter after spraining his ankle. He said, however, that the injury wasn't serious and didn't expect to miss Tuesday's game.

"I thought those guys showed huge fight and grit," Nets coach Lawrence Frank said. "It goes to show, when you play a little defense, you give yourself a chance."

The Nets' previous nine opponents had averaged 102.0 points against them.

New Jersey has won five straight at home against the Bucks.