The 45-18 Milwaukee Bucks take on the 30-33 Washington Wizards in a quick back-to-back on the road in Washington on Sunday March 5th. The Bucks are on a back-to-back with Milwaukee having lost to the Sixers to end the big win streak 133-130. Washington is also on a back-to-back having lost at home to the Toronto Raptors. Game time is 6:30 CST.
The Bucks are on a quest to win this year’s NBA Championship. The Wizards won one NBA Championship in 1978. They used to be called the Bullets. This has all the “vibes” of a trap game for Milwaukee.
Washington and Milwaukee have played twice already. Washington beat Milwaukee on New Year’s Day 118-95. Then two days later the Wizards and Bucks played in Milwaukee where the Bucks won 123-113. The Bucks lead the all-time series against Washington 128-95.
Bucks keys
Time to show off the depth
Jae Crowder played 13 minutes and scored 2 points. Bobby Portis played 16 minutes and scored 7. A big game from one of those two would really help.
So would a big game from Khris Middleton. He played 27 minutes but only managed 6 points on 2-10 shooting. Because Milwaukee is trying to bring him along slowly he might not play. He should because Milwaukee needs some production.
Quality minutes from the bench are a “must” for the Bucks.
Keep shooting the three
The Bucks average 40 three point attempts a game. (Washington averages 31 per game) The Bucks and their offense is built around Giannis driving the ball and kicking it out to a shooter. It is working so far so keep shooting the three.
Grayson Allen was lights out against the Sixers from three. Hopefully Jevon Carter and Pat Connaughton cane hit some shots.
Pad the stats
This is an NBA regular season game and the show must go on. Giannis Antetokounmpo is the team’s leading scorer with 31.3 points per game. He also leads the team in rebounding with 12 a game. Brook Lopez leads the team with 2.4 blocks. Jrue Holiday leads the team in assists with 7.2 a game. He also leads the team in steals 1.2 a game. If any of these three guys play they really need to just do what they do: score, rebound, pass and block shots. Pad those stats.
Mar Jon Beauchamp, AJ Green and Meyers Leonard also did not play in the loss to the Sixers. They should play and try to score and pass and pad those stats as much as they can.
The Opponent: The Washington Wizards
The Wizards are right on the playoff bubble. If the playoffs were tomorrow they would barely make it as the 10th seed.
Washington has four players that really play a ton. Bradley Beal, Daniel Gafford, Kyle Kuzma and Kristaps Porzingis. However, they have had injury issues all season.
Beal leads the team in scoring with 22.9 points a game. Porzingis is a close second at 22.8 per game.
Bradley Beal is a great player when he is healthy. That hasn’t been for a while. He has been in and out all year with a hamstring injury. He is in the first year of a $251,000,000 contract. Good for him. It is a “Giannis” type deal.
The goal was to pair him with Kristaps Porzingis and make a run at the playoffs. Porzingis is currently making $33,000,000 a year. He has one year left of his $158,000,000 contract.
Hopefully, after you read those last two numbers, you don’t look too closely at your W2.
Porzingis should play against Milwaukee. Beal will also play.
Washington averages 113 points a game and 43 team rebounds.
They don’t really have a ton of depth. Corey Kispert has been playing a lot off the bench. The 24 yr old 1st round pick averages 9 points a game.
Johnny Davis from the Badgers is also on their roster. He last played on Valentine’s Day against Portland.
Things to tell your buddies as you are watching the game
- Washington is only 15-14 at home. They are averaging the exact same amount of points as they give up: 113.2
- It is hard to not think about the Wizards franchise and remember them as the Washington Bullets. Depending on your perspective, you can make a line to this team being part of the original eight NBA teams.
- Michael Jordan played two seasons for the Wizards.
- The Wizards were the Bullets for forever. They rebranded in 1997.
Follow me on Twitter at @authorrudylb and check out my other writings at www.rudylb.com. Follow us at @WiSportsHeroics! For all things Wisconsin sports, click here! Also, check out our merch store for some amazing WSH merchandise!
