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(Sports Network) - Doormats in the Central Division for quite some time, the Milwaukee Bucks will kick off their 2009-10 campaign Friday on the road against the Philadelphia 76ers in their home opener at the Wachovia Center.

Milwaukee, the last NBA team to open the new campaign, has finished last in the Central standings five consecutive seasons and missed the playoffs for a third straight year after struggling to a 34-48 record in 2008-09. A big reason for the Bucks' continued demise were injuries to both Michael Redd and Andrew Bogut, two major pieces in head coach Scott Skiles' offense.

Redd tore two ligaments in his left knee in late January and averaged 21.2 points in 33 games. Bogut, meanwhile, was hampered by a back problems and posted 11.7 points and 10.3 boards in 36 contests. Both players are back at full strength, but won't have Richard Jefferson, Charlie Villanueva or Ramon Sessions on the squad after all three went their separate ways this offseason. Carlos Delfino and Hakim Warrick were added to the mix, while the Bucks drafted young point guard Brandon Jennings over the summer.

Jennings, who went with the 10th overall selection, averaged 5.5 points and 2.3 assists for Lottomatica Virtus Roma of the Italian League instead of playing in college. He is expected to start tonight against the Sixers.

The Bucks will open the season with three of four games on the road. Redd (back) and Warrick (neck) are both probable for this evening.

Philadelphia got the Eddie Jordan era off to a rough start and suffered a 120-106 loss at Orlando on Wednesday night. Marreese Speights scored a career- high 26 points off the bench and Lou Williams netted 18 as the new starting point guard for the 76ers, who were playing the Magic in a rematch of last season's first-round playoff series that went six games. Orlando buried the Sixers from downtown, going 16-of-29 from three-point range.

"As far as their post game, it didn't really hurt us, but their threes destroyed us," said Jordan. "I don't think they hit the rim."

Jason Kapono posted 13 points off the bench in his Philly debut. Kapono was acquired in June from Toronto in exchange for forward Reggie Evans. Elton Brand was back healthy from a shoulder injury and ended with only eight points, the same amount for fellow starter Andre Iguodala.

Jordan was hired to be the 22nd head coach in franchise history back in May and took over for Tony DiLeo, who served as the interim coach when Maurice Cheeks was fired after a 9-14 start to this past season. Jordan last coached in the NBA with the Washington Wizards before being fired last November during his sixth season with the club.

The 76ers will play three of their next four games at home and swept the three-game series with Milwaukee a year ago. They have won five in a row against the Bucks, who are winless in their last three trips to the Wachovia Center and 3-7 in the past 10 matchups at Philadelphia.