The Bucks will attempt to build off any momentum generated in last night’s victory over the Bulls, as they are right back at the grindstone as they take on the Washington Wizards tonight.
The Wizards are a ball club that have given Milwaukee a hard time so far this season, winning every game and they will look to keep that trend going. Despite being riddled by injuries, Washington keeps plowing forward, as they have won two consecutive games on the road against Orlando and Chicago.
One of the Wizards’ main players who will be out for tonight’s game is Bradley Beal. Beal sat out one of the games against Milwaukee earlier this season but in the one he played against the Bucks, he racked up 26 points, establishing the Bucks’ trouble of defending him that has seemed to go on for the past three years.
Washington will also be without the help of Kris Humphries. Center Marcin Gortat’s sore left knee could possibly sideline him a second consecutive game. If Gortat does in fact sit out, expect Nene to return to the starting center position, where he scored 14 points on 7-of-11 shooting. Gortat also provided a challenge for Greg Monroe last time they played in D.C., with Monroe recording his lowest scoring output of the season with only four points.
Despite the drop off on the roster due to injuries, Washington has been able to keep the ship afloat, as seven Wizards recorded double figures in the 114-100 win over Chicago a few night’s ago.
photo: wizards.com
The Bucks last played Washington on Nov. 17 in the nation’s capital, where the Wizards absolutely dismantled Milwaukee, 115-86. John Wall and Otto Porter were two of the key catalysts in that victory for the Wizards, both notching 19 points a piece, proving the Bucks will need to keep an eye on the both of them tonight.
However, the Bucks are also expressing a chance of gaining momentum as well following last night’s victory over the rival Bulls. Giannis Antetokounmpo recorded one of his best games of the season, tallying a double double with 29 points and 10 rebounds, along with five assists.
Antetokounmpo has had success against the Wizards this season as well, especially driving into the paint. In the Bucks second home game of the season, he scored 27 points combined with nine rebounds. Despite Giannis’ strong performance, the Bucks were unable to pull out the victory in a 118-113 loss.
Khris Middleton may be the key to victory for the Bucks on the road tonight. In his last eight games, he has gone 47.7 percent from three-point land, a stat that has him near the top of the list in that category across the league.