With six players scoring in double-figures, the Washington Wizards swept the Milwaukee Bucks for a second time this season, 115-86 at the Verizon Center. The Wizards played man-to-man defense and never let up on both ends of the court. Space-and-pace proved to be the answer for Washington tonight as they took control of the game from the start against a slower Milwaukee team. The home team was 12 for 22, (54.5 percent) from the 3-point range, it out-rebounded the Bucks 42-34 and had 18 fast-break points to Milwaukee’s two. It was the Wizards best effort so far this season, keeping Milwaukee to less than 90 points.
Combined, Washington hit 12 3-pointers. Among the Wizards that scored in the double-digits was point guard John Wall, who finished with 19 points, nine assists and nine rebounds. Wall was one assist and one rebound short from a triple-double. Guard Otto Porter Jr. joined Wall with 19 points, four assists and two rebounds. He helped to also seal the deal for the double-digit win.
Washington jumped on the Bucks early with the big men tonight. Center Marcin Gortat scored 12 points, nine rebounds and also reached 4,000 career boards. Shooting guard Garrett Temple continued with his back-up role for the injured Bradley Beal scoring 10 points; and Jared Dudley contributed a season-high of 13 points, two assists and seven rebounds. Power forward Nene played 16 minutes, scored eight points and six rebounds.
The Bucks managed to finish the first quarter with a two-point lead (27-29) over Washington but that lead didn’t last past the second quarter.
Washington outscored Milwaukee 28-8 in the second quarter to take a 64-46 lead into halftime with the Bucks committing 10 turnovers by the half. As a matter of fact, the closest they got in the game was in the third quarter when they cut the scoring margin down to six points. But they still were never able to get any closer in the game.
It was the Wizards second win over Milwaukee this season.
Just a few weeks ago, the Wizards came back from a 13-point deficit to beat the Bucks, 118 – 113. Beal scored 14 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter in that first game.
Again, with Beal still injured, Temple stepped up as his replacement. The 6’6” guard contributed in a big way with his first rate defensive moves. At one point he received a pass from Dudley inbounds with three seconds left in the first half. He took advantage of those three seconds and made a buzzer-beater, bringing the Wizards lead to 64-46 over Milwaukee.
After three straight losses to the Boston Celtics, Atlanta Hawks and Oklahoma City Thunder, Washington has made some obvious changes to their defense and these have proven to be successful. The Wizards have been contesting shots, hustling around picks and beating the teams at the boards.
It was a lackluster game for Milwaukee with the loss of some key players. Forward Jabari Parker did not travel with the team due to a sprained right foot and guard O.J. Mayo is battling a right hamstring strain.
Milwaukee shooting guard Kris Middleton put up 14 points for the team’s worst loss all season and center Greg Monroe was held to just four points.
The Wizards will be on the road again playing this Saturday against the Detroit Pistons with a possible return of a healed Bradley Beal.