Bucks vs. Wizards Preview: Keep Racking Up Those Road Wins

It’s Groundhog’s Day people, and I can’t stop replaying that massive Milwaukee Bucks win over the Toronto Raptors in my head. That’s a day I could re-live over and over. Today though, the Bucks have a chance for some revenge against a Washington Wizards squad that toppled them three weeks ago when Giannis sat.

Bucks Update

Milwaukee is coming off one of its biggest wins of the season, officially clinching the tiebreaker over Toronto while sealing the deal on the Raptors’ home floor. While Toronto may have shot quite poorly from deep, they had massive success in the paint, outscoring the Bucks by 18. That’s a rarity for Milwaukee, who made up for it with their 3-point gunning (14-38). The Bucks win in a multitude of ways, and just made a statement win on national TV. What a life we live. Let’s hope they can smash this annoying Wizards squad, who shot an absurd 54.5% (18-33) from deep last time they beat the Bucks, 113-106. Bledsoe, Sterling Brown and Jason Smith are all listed as probable with various injuries.

Player to Watch: Eric Bledsoe

Bledsoe was just 7/21 against the Wizards last time out, although he nearly hit a triple double with nine assists and eight boards to go with his 18 points. Game after game, Bledsoe seems like he’s only grown more comfortable finding the spaces within Bud’s offense to work. I think he’ll be looking to attack the Wizards’ weak rim protection all evening.

Wizards Update

With John Wall still out of the picture, Bradley Beal’s been doing his best to carry this Wizards team, earning himself an All-Star nod in the process. They’re coming off a 107-89 drubbing of the Indiana Pacers, which is no small feat given the fact the Pacers have still played well this year even without Victor Oladipo on the floor. Jeff Green also randomly went off for 23 points too. I’m most intrigued to see how Milwaukee tries to contain Tomas Satoransky this time around, as he netted his first career triple-double against the Bucks last time out. I’m curious if Giannis may get a shot at him defensively, we’ll have to see. On the low, look out for Gary Payton II creeping in at the end of the bench and sniffing revenge.

Otto Porter is also questionable with a toe injury.

Player to Watch: Sam Dekker

Speaking of revenge, the one-time Buck who sent bliss throughout local Wisconsin twitter for all of 30 minutes has actually gotten some minutes with Washington. He had eight points and nine rebounds off the bench for Washington against Indiana, and we all know Sheboyganites don’t forgive easily. Keep an eye on slammin’ Sammy. Also, I bet Giannis obliterates him with a block at least once this game.