The Washington Wizards visit the BMO Harris Bradley Center to take on the Milwaukee Bucks. Action gets underway at 8:00 pm ET on Thursday, Feb. 11 and will air on FWi and WA2.
The Bucks were victorious over the Magic 107-100 in their last game. Giannis Antetokounmpo played well, finishing with 25 points, nine rebounds, and two steals for the Bucks. The Wizards, meanwhile, are feeling some disappointment after their 106-89 loss at the hands of the Raptors in their last outing. Otto Porter recorded 15 points, eight rebounds, and four steals.
Over the last five games, Khris Middleton has been playing at a high level for the Bucks. During that stretch, he has averaged 22.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 0.8 steals, and 1.8 three-pointers.
This has potential to be a mistake-prone game for Milwaukee’s offense, which ranks 26th in the NBA in ball protection (turnover percentage of 15.3%). Washington’s gambling defense forces the third-most turnovers in the league (16.2%).
The Wizards have emerged victorious in all three games against the Bucks this year, including a 106-101 victory in their last matchup. Garrett Temple had a stellar game with 11 points, four rebounds, five assists, five steals, one block, and three three-pointers.
The Bucks come into this game 21-32 Straight Up (SU) and 26-26-1 Against The Spread (ATS). They are 21-32 SU and 26-26-1 ATS against the Eastern Conference. The most recent ten-game stretch for the Bucks has gone great. Over that span, Milwaukee is averaging 106.2 points per game, well over their season average of 98.1. The Bucks are a dangerously accurate shooting team with a .462 field-goal percentage, one of the highest marks in the NBA. Milwaukee’s defense is doing poorly against opposing offenses during the last 10 games, allowing an average of 110.6 points per game, well above their season average of 103.1. Milwaukee is one of the league’s top scoring teams off turnovers with an average of 18.5 points per game.
On the other side, the Wizards have 23-27 SU and 26-23-1 ATS records. Washington has records of 23-27 SU and 26-23-1 ATS against the East. The Wizards are shooting very well so far with a .365 three-point field-goal percentage that ranks fifth in the NBA. Switching gears to Washington’s defense, the Wizards are a terror in the passing lanes, averaging an impressive 8.8 steals per game. The Wizards are in for a physical game against Milwaukee. The Bucks are not afraid to send opponents to the free throw line, averaging 22.7 fouls per game.
The Wizards’ win over Milwaukee in their last clash brought their SU record in the past 10 games to 8-2. The Wizards also hold the advantage ATS with a record of 6-4.
Predictions: SU Winner – Was
Notes
Washington ranks eighth in points per game with 102.9, while Milwaukee ranks 20th in points allowed with an average of 103.1 given up.
Milwaukee ranks 20th in points allowed per home game (101.8 PPG), while Washington ranks 10th in points per away game with 102.1.
When allowing fewer than 100 points, the Wizards are 12-4 on the season. When the Bucks score fewer than 100, they are a poor 8-19.
At 8-19, the Washington Wizards have a poor record when their opponents score 100 points or more. The Milwaukee Bucks are 12-8 when they hit the century mark.
The Bucks have a defensive rating of 106.9 (ranked 27th), while the Wizards rank 16th for their offensive rating of 102.7.
Milwaukee has an average field goal percentage of 46.2% (ranked fourth). Washington is a losing 9-14 when opponents have a similar or higher field goal percentage.
The Milwaukee Bucks rank higher in field goal percentage (fourth) than effective field goal percentage (15th), while the Washington Wizards rank the same for both metrics (ninth).
Milwaukee makes an average of 23.3 assists per game (ranked seventh). Washington ranks higher in assists with 23.9 (ranked sixth).
The Milwaukee Bucks average 5.7 blocks per game for a rank of eighth. The Washington Wizards rank lower (29th), earning 3.7 blocks each game.
The Milwaukee Bucks rank 17th in offensive rebounding, while the Washington Wizards rank 29th in defensive rebounding.
The Washington Wizards average 8.8 steals per game (ranked fifth). The Milwaukee Bucks have a losing 8-17 record when they allow at least 8 steals.
