Wizards 14-22 vs Bucks 23-14
When: Saturday, March 13th, at 7p.m.
Where: Capital One Arena, Washington, DC
TV: NBCSWA, NBA League Pass / Radio: WFED 1500 AM
Injury
Wizards: Thomas Bryant (Out/ Left ACL Surgery), Ish Smith (Out/ Quad), Davis Bertans (Questionable/ Right Calf Tightness)
Bucks: N/A
Wizards -
114.7 - points per game
119.6 - points against
45.8 - Field Goal %
Bucks -
119.2 - points per game
112.2 - points against
48.7 - Field Goal %
Keep an eye on:
Giannis: do I really need to go in depth about urgency of dealing with a guy averaging 28.9 points, 11.6 rebounds, 6 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.4 blocks on 55 percent shooting from the field and the reigning two time league MVP? Especially after seeing what Memphis center Jonas Valanciunas (29 points, 20 rebounds) and MVP favorite Joel Embiid (23 points,7 rebounds, 2 blocks in 20 minutes) has done to Washington’s front court over the last two games? I didn’t think so either.
Wizards Offense: has to come alive tonight or this can be over by halftime. Milwaukee comes in second in the NBA in FG% (48.7%), fourth in the NBA in 3FG% (39%) and second in the NBA in points per game (119.2). Washington offense has been up and down in their two losses to Memphis (40% FG/30% 3FG) and Philadelphia (33% 3FG/ 58% FT) . They will need consistency for a full 48 to get back on the winning track against one of the leagues best teams.
Rebounding: Brad Beal said “they have to get back to defending,” and the part about defense that gets ignored is rebounding. You can’t get off defense without rebounding and you can’t begin your offense without rebounding. In their loss to Memphis, Washington was out-rebounded 75-43, yes you read that right. In their loss to Philadelphia last night, they were out-rebounded 49-32, keep in mind, Embiid missed most of the second half or it would’ve been a worst margin. The Wizards group of centers Moe Wagner, Robin Lopez and Alex Len, especially have to step up on the boards. The trio are averaging 9.5 rebounds COMBINED over the last two games. To put things in perspective, Embiid had seven rebounds in 20 minutes of play by himself. Washington’s front court has to take it personal inside the paint and become a lot more physical on the boards.