Washington Wizards Three Takeaways: Wizards Stop the Bucks, 107-104

On Tuesday, the Washington Wizards traveled to Milwaukee to take on the Bucks. Although they’re playing the Warriors on Wednesday, the tail end of a back-to-back, Washington left everything on the floor, beating the Bucks, 107-104.

On Tuesday, the Washington Wizards traveled to Milwaukee to take on the Bucks. Although they’re playing the Warriors on Wednesday, the tail end of a back-to-back, Washington left everything on the floor, beating the Bucks, 107-104.

The Wizards came out firing on all cylinders. The ball movement was a beautiful sight to behold. Most importantly, they set the tempo of the game. Keeping that tempo up was a different story, but we’ll get to that later.

Wizards had a season-high 40 points in the first quarter. Yes, you read that sentence correct. However, Washington would run out of gas to start the second half.

Nonetheless, this team is growing right before our eyes. Instead of collapsing in the fourth, Washington kept their composure and closed it out, beating the Bucks, 107-104.

After losing their last two matchups in January, the Wizards tied the series, 2-2. That’s an important distinction for playoff seeding, if there’s a tiebreaker between the two teams.

Wizards started off strong

Markieff Morris opened up the game knocking down a three. The Wizards would then go on a 10-0 run, before the Bucks called timeout to stop the bleeding.

Every Wizards’ starter put up points on the board. The score was 26-5 with 5:15 left in the first quarter. Keef, Bradley Beal, and Otto Porter all knocked down shots from three-point range.

Washington steamrolled the Bucks on their homecourt. Not only did they end the first stanza up 40-22, the Wizards shot 75 percent from the three, and 66.7 percent from the field.

On the defensive end, they outrebounded the Bucks 12-5.

The ball movement was momentous, the Wizards had 12 assists to end the first frame.

Second-unit slowed Wizards’ tempo

The Wizards’ second unit couldn’t keep the momentum going to start the second quarter. There was a defensive lapse where Jodie Meeks, Tim Frazier and Ian Mahinmi let Eric Bledsoe waltz to the basket for the easiest of layups.

After letting the Bucks feel as if they had life, Porter and Keef would return. Porter would knock down a three to remind the Bucks who’s king.

Porter had 15 points in his first 12 minutes, shooting 6-for-7 from the field. He was also perfect from three-point range, 3-for-3.

Porter was in perfect form on Tuesday, as he hustled inside the paint as well.

Porter would end the first half leading all scorers with 17 points. While Washington held their lead, 64-50.

Always be closing

To start the third quarter, the Bucks would cut Washington’s lead to 68-59 at the 9:11 mark. Coach Scott Brooks, not liking the direction this was going, called a quick timeout.

With 8 minutes left, after Tomas Satoransky fouled Khris Middleton for an and-1, Frazier woud come in. That would be Sato’s fourth foul.

Washington’s offense and defense began to collapse. The Bucks just started attacking and wouldn’t give the Wizards an inch.

Washington ended the third frame up 83-76.

An all-bench lineup started the fourth quarter for Washington. While the 40-year old Jason Terry hit a deep three, putting the Bucks within one, 88-87.

Brooks would insert Beal, Porter and Keef at the 7:50 mark, with the Wizards up 92-89. While Kelly Oubre and Mahinmi remained on the floor.

Going in for a layup against Giannis Antetokounmpo, Porter would go down hard on the floor and come up holding his wrist. However, he would stay in the game.

Oubre would attack the rim for an and-1, completing the three-point play.

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However, after a three by Tony Snell and a dunk by Antetokoumpo, the Bucks were still within one, 99-98 with 3:37 left in regulation.

After the time out, Keef would knock down a baseline jumper.

Beal would later hit a buzzer-beater three with 59.7 seconds left. Wizards now up 106-101.

But then Kris Middleton would get fouled, and he’d have a three-point play. Bucks now only down 106-104 with 27 seconds left. However, Satoransky defended by Antetokoumpo would turn the ball over.

Antetokoumpo missed his floater over Keef with 1.8 seconds left, and Sato would come up with the ball. There’s a timeout and Porter would inbound the ball the Beal, who is fouled.

Beal makes one of his free throws with 0.8 seconds left. Wizards up 107-104. However, Porter disrupted the Bucks’ inbound pass, and the Wizards win.

Mahinmi had a very good game. He had 8 point, 3 rebounds and did an excellent job drawing fouls. He was 2-for-5 from the charity stripe.

Beal (21 points, 8 assists and 7 rebounds), Porter (17 points, 7 rebounds and 3 steals), Satoransky (8 points, 6 assists), Morris (14 points, 4 rebounds), Oubre (13 points, 4 rebounds).

Frazier and Meeks would have 8 points each.

On the other end of the floor, Antetokoumpo (12 points, 13 rebounds). While Eric Bledsoe and Khris Middleton finished with 17 points each.

Morris and Mahinmi muscled their way through to help Washington with this win.

The best thing about this game is that when it got close in the fourth, the Wizards closed it out.

On Wednesday, the Wizards return home to take on the Golden State Warriors.