Rapid Recap: Bucks 104, Wizards 95. Monday Matinee Madness!

Offensive troubles? Never heard of ‘em!

After yesterday's troubling massacre at the hands of the Miami Heat, you would be right to worry about how Milwaukee would perform in another matinee match-up with the Washington Wizards.

But, the Bucks proved us all worrywarts with a stabilizing (in the grand scheme of Ws and Ls) victory over the Wizards Monday afternoon.

From the start, Milwaukee fixed its flagging #EnergyAndEffort with an aggressive opening on both ends, pressuring Washington’s ball-handlers early and often leading to a number of turnovers and transition opportunities.

Their quick start would eventually peter out as the gradual pace of Washington’s offense brought them back into things, especially when turnovers were less forthcoming. After jumping to a 11-3 lead, the Bucks would be slowly reeled back in to a dogfight the rest of the way.

While the starters initially struggled, the bench unit maintained critical contact with Washington. Tony Snell would contribute timely corner shooting, Sterling Brown defensive pressure (and a number of fouls), and Thon Maker even got in the mix offensively converting a jumper and a rare interior finish in traffic. Their competence for enough of the second quarter gave the starters needed down-time, especially with this being the second-half of a back-to-back set.

That rest seemed providential in the third with Milwaukee leading 53-51. The starting unit held its own offensively in the second-half, with the trio of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, and Eric Bledsoe doing much of the heavy lifting, combining for 69 points, 30 rebounds, 13 assists, and seven steals.

Each team would trade the lead multiple times in the final 12 minutes, but timely offensive creativity like this would keep the Bucks ahead:

Milwaukee would end up hanging tough in a thoroughly ugly victory, winning a second time in Washington D.C., 104-95.

Giannis Dance Party time!

Stat That Stood Out

Giannis would struggle to score efficiently this afternoon, but you have to give him credit for helping out in a big way cleaning up the glass. He would post a career-high 20 rebounds with many of them coming in the second-half when a couple of offensive rebounds for Washington could have easily swung the balance. His motor helped paved over some rough stretches for Milwaukee as he dragged the team over finish line.