Washington Wizards Three Takeaways: Bucks Stop Wizards Winning Streak
On Saturday, the Washington Wizards hosted the Milwaukee Bucks. This was the tail end of a back-to-back, after beating the Grizzlies on Friday. Led by a powerful performance by Giannis Antetokounmpo, Washington lost to the Bucks, 110-103.
On Saturday, the Washington Wizards hosted the Milwaukee Bucks. This was the tail end of a back-to-back for both teams. With the Wizards beating the Grizzlies on Friday, while the Bucks lost to the Raptors.
The Wizards were looking for their fifth straight win, however, led by a powerful performance by Giannis Antetokounmpo, they would lose to the Bucks, 110-103.
Kelly Oubre, Jr. started for Otto Porter, Jr., who was out with a right hip strain. While Markieff Morris got the assignment to guard Antetokounmpo.
Washington never gave up the lead in the first half. However, the game was knotted up at 53 going into halftime.
The Wizards started off strong, but as the game became close after the second quarter, they would miss key free throws.
Both teams saw the free throw line almost an equal amount, the Bucks 30 and the Wizards 29. However, Milwaukee shot 83 percent to the Wizards 72 percent.
The free throw line is a holdover problem from 2017. While Washington was also outrebounded 45-34.
Although the Wizards started strong, in the words of Coach Scott Brooks after the game, they played “stagnant” to close it out.
Strong First Quarter
Washington started off strong right out the gate, with Keef knocking down two quick buckets.
On the other end, Bradley Beal would get the block and steal, passing it to Wall, who would pass it to Oubre for the corner three. Just absolutely beautiful ball movement.
On another possession, Oubre would later swing it to Wall, who knocked down his own three-ball.
The frontcourt of Keef, Oubre and Marcin Gortat would all have six points apiece. With Oubre ending the first quarter with two shots from 3-point range.
While Wall almost had a double-double to finish the first stanza, with 10 points and six assists.
Gortat’s Good Game
After posting a season-high 21 points in Wednesday’s win against the Knicks, Marcin Gortat marches on.
To start the game he was perfect from the field, going 5-for-5. Which included some beautiful short jumpers, and battles in the middle to finish at the rim. Heading into halftime, the Polish Machine led all Wizards scorers with 11 points.
He was also solid on the defensive end, drawing an offensive charge against Antetokounmpo in the third quarter. In that same quarter, he set up a nice screen for Beal to knock down a three.
His aggressiveness in the paint, allowed him to get to the line six times, but he would only knock down three of them.
Shooting 7-for-10 from the field, Gortat would end the game with 17 points, seven rebounds, and three blocks.
Close Fourth Quarter
In the fourth quarter, Mike Scott made a difficult baseline jumper to keep the Wizards 3-point lead. Tomas Satoranksy would then knock down a three, putting the Wizards up by six, 90-84.
Antetokounmpo would pick up his fourth fall with 9:20 left in regulation. While Scott picked up his fifth with a little over eight minutes left.
While Beal was speeding towards the basket, he was clotheslined by Matthew Dellavedova. Dellavedova was assessed a Flagrant 2, which is an automatic ejection. Unfortunately, Beal missed both his free throws.
Gortat would cause Antetokoumpo to pick up his fifth foul, with a little over six minutes, and the Greek Freak would take a seat.
However, the Bucks would keep the game close, with the two teams trading buckets. With three minutes left, and a slam by Keef, the Wizards were up 96-99.
Antetokounmpo would return to the game, with 1:35 left the Bucks were up 102-99.
Beal would make both his free throws. But on the other end, Eric Bledsoe would hit a three over Keef, extending the Bucks lead, 105-101.
After Antetokoumpo’s return the Bucks went on a 14-2 run, to beat the Wizards. He would lead all scorers with 34 points and 12 rebounds. While Bledsoe finished with 21 points and 4 assists.
Wall had an incredible season-high of 16 assists, recording a double-double with 16 points. While Beal led all Wizards’ scorers with 20 points.
Keef had a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Oubre had 17 points. Jodie Meeks, off the bench, would have back-to-back threes to close out the third quarter, finishing with 6 points.
On Wednesday, the Wizards continue their homestand against the Utah Jazz.