Wizards Stake Win Streak Against Eastern Conference-Leading Milwaukee Bucks
KEY POINTS
- The Bucks are tipped to avenge their previous loss to the Washington Wizards
- The Wizards will need to find more scoring options with some Bucks key players expected to suit up
- The Wizards need to control the boards if they want to snag another win against the Bucks
The Washington Wizards will try to stretch their win streak to six wins when they visit the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday, January 3 at the Fiserv Forum with the tip-off set for 8:10 PM ET.
The Wizards will try to make it two in a row over the Bucks, having won on Sunday, January 1, 118-95.
However, oddsmakers feel otherwise and believe that Milwaukee will bounce back and exact revenge after the upset loss.
The Bucks hold a -8 odds to win their next matchup with the Wizards at +8.
Milwaukee had a slow start with most of their key players unavailable on Sunday.
It should be noted that Giannis Antetokounmpo did not play in that Sunday matchup with the Bucks banking on Bobby Portis to lead the way as he finished with 19 points and 10 rebounds, while Jevon Carter chipped in 14 markers of his own.
In their upcoming meeting, Antetokounmpo, Jrue Holiday and George Hill are listed as day-to-day.
Khris Middleton remains out with a knee injury, but the Bucks could have those missing players back this time around.
With the possible return of key players, the Bucks are expected to get back their offensive groove.
The Bucks are scoring 112.4 points per game and shooting 45.6% on the floor.
Defensively, the Bucks have shown to be very tough, allowing their opponents 110.7 points per game.
Milwaukee has managed to contest shots attempted near the rim, meaning they will make it tough for the Wizards to get points near the rim.
The Wizards are bracing for a tougher battle, assuming that "The Greek Freak" will suit up together with other players who were not in action on Sunday.
With Bradley Beal out, players such as Rui Hachimura, Kyle Kuzma and Kristaps Porzingis need to bring their A-game if they want to pull off another win against the 23-13 Bucks.
The Wizards have an adjusted offensive rating of 113.5 points now, the 16th-highest rating in the NBA.
Defensively, Washington is giving up 112.4 points and forcing their opponents to shoot just 46% from the field.
But a key department that the Wizards will need to focus on is rebounding, preventing the Bucks from getting second-chance opportunities.
The game will be beamed over NBA TV, with online streaming available via fuboTV.
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