Washington Wizards vs Milwaukee Bucks: Predictions, Odds and Roster Notes

Where: Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, WI

When: Wednesday, February 6th at 8:00 PM EST

How (TV/Radio): ESPN, Fox Sports Washington, Fox Sports Wisconsin | 1500 AM

Washington Wizards (Away)

Head Coach: Scott Brooks {All-Time 452-309 | OKC, WAS}

After a recent loss to the bottom-feeding Atlanta Hawks, the Washington Wizards sit tenth in the NBA’s Eastern Conference. With a record of 22-31 the loss was a big blow to the Wizards’ playoff hopes.

The Washington Wizards are currently on a two game losing streak. With a record of 4-6 in their last ten games, the Wizards have had difficulty climbing the rankings. In their last ten the Wizards’ point differential of -3.0 suggests a number of defensive issues.

When the Wizards take on the Bucks they will be hard-pressed to stop the East leading squad. The Bucks are the NBA’s quintessential 3-and-D team, lead by a near unstoppable Giannis Antetokounmpo who is surrounded by a number of deadeye shooters. The Wizards will need to not only have their offence flowing, but be able to close-out on the many Bucks shooters.

Milwaukee Bucks (Home)

Head Coach: Mike Budenholzer {All-Time 251-210 | ATL, MIL}

The Milwaukee Bucks are coming off of an exceptional road trip. After starting with a loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder they swept the remainder of their trip, highlighted by a win over conference rival the Toronto Raptors.

With a record of 39-13 the Bucks are first in the Eastern Conference and ensured that head coach Mike Budenholzer would coach the Team Giannis in the 2019 NBA All-Star Game. They are 9-1 in their last ten games and show no signs of slowing down into the All-Star break.

When the Bucks take on the Washington Wizards they will need to slow down Bradley Beal. It is no secret that the Wizards offence goes through Bradley Beal. With the Wizards lack of defensive acumen, to key in on their most dangerous offensive asset will be the best step to success for the Bucks.

What’s At Stake?

The Milwaukee Bucks and the Washington Wizards have always put on a tight contest in the history of their franchises. In the all-time series, the Milwaukee Bucks hold a slight 41-37 lead over the Washington Wizards.

A win for the Washington Wizards would propel them into ninth place in the Eastern Conference.

The first-place Bucks would expand their lead on the second place Toronto Raptors to 2.5 games with a win.

Questions to answer

Should the Wizards still sell at the deadline?

Are the Bucks serious about acquiring Anthony Davis?

We are going to compare the Washington Wizards and the Milwaukee Bucks in an attempt to see who has the advantage in this matchup.

Rumors Are Abound for the Wizards

It has been a common theme for the Washington Wizards organization over the past couple of years. The Wizards play with the mindset of a team that is great, but don’t have the pieces to fulfill that state of mind.

The Wizards have been on the wrong side of the scoreboard in a number of alarming losses recently. They lost to the Atlanta Hawks on Monday by eight and just last week lost to the Cavaliers by three. A strong team with playoff aspirations can’t give up such matches.

Earlier in the year there were a number of rumours suggesting the Wizards should sell off their core of Wall, Beal, and Porter as soon as possible. Those talks cooled down as Beal’s play led the team for a short time, but his play has only carried the team so far and it is clear the Wizards need more. Whether the Wizards make moves at the deadline or in the offseason is the most important move to watch.

Rumor Has It The Brow Would Team With The Freak

The Milwaukee Bucks are far and away the best team in the East at this point in the season. While the Raptors are arguably as hot of a team as the Bucks, their inconsistency against top teams combined with a shocking amount of injuries firmly places the Bucks at number one for now.

That sudden boost in performance and talent has apparently drawn the eyes of NBA superstar Anthony Davis. Davis’ sudden trade demand has put every team in the NBA on notice and the Bucks are no exception.

The Bucks certainly don’t have the package to entice the Pelicans organization in the same way that the Celtics or Raptors do. However the prospect of teaming with Giannis would be tempting for any player. The Bucks would immediately have two of the NBA’s top ten players on the squad and boast the best defensive duo in the game. Time will tell for the Bucks, but if they need to wholesale their team for a rental it will be a tough decision.

Washington Wizards Roster Notes

F Troy Brown Jr – 3 Feb 2019 – Day To Day (Ankle) – Brown Jr. is listed as Doubtful for Monday’s (Feb 4) game.

C Dwight Howard – 31 Jan 2019 – Out (Back) – Howard is expected to spend another month on the sidelines as he recovers from surgery on his lower back, according to Chase Hughes of NBCSports.com.

F Markieff Morris – 3 Jan 2019 – Out (Neck stiffness) – The Wizards announced that Morris will miss at least the next six weeks of action as he recovers from a neck injury.

G John Wall – 30 Dec 2018 – Out For Season (Sore Left Heel) – Wall will undergo season-ending heel surgery and will resume basketball activities in six-to-eight months.

Milwaukee Bucks Roster Notes

G Eric Bledsoe – 3 Feb 2019 – Day To Day (Left Achilles Soreness) – Bledsoe was listed as Probable for Monday’s (Feb 4) game.

G Donte DiVincenzo – 3 Feb 2019 – Out (Bilateral Heel Bursitis) – DiVincenzo was ruled OUT for Monday’s (Feb 4) game.

C Jason Smith – 3 Feb 2019 – Day To Day (Left Knee Soreness) – Smith is listed as Questionable for Monday’s (Feb 4) game.

Head-to-Head: Otto Porter (WAS) vs Tony Snell (MIL)

Otto Porter

Small Forward | 6-8, 198lb (203cm, 89kg) | Georgetown | Exp. 5 Years

12.6 PPG | 2.0 APG | 5.6 RPG | 1.6 SPG | 0.5 BPG | 1.0 TOV | .459 FG% | .378 3P%

Tony Snell

Small Forward | 6-7, 213lb (201cm, 96kg) | New Mexico | Exp. 5 Years

6.3 PPG | 0.9 APG | 2.1 RPG | 0.4 SPG | 0.2 BPG | 0.4 TOV | .462 FG% | .419 3P%

Two former starters who have become valuable role players off the bench face off when the Washington Wizards are hosted by the Milwaukee Bucks. Otto Porter brings his 3-and-D ability off of the Wizards bench in hopes of slowing down Tony Snell who is second in three-point percentage off the bench for the Bucks.

Otto Porter and his max contract coming off the bench fails to provide a positive image for the Wizards organization. Luckily for the Wizards, his production more than makes up for the optics of the situation. With Porter coming off the bench the Wizards finally have some scoring and defensive consistency when the main cast are off the floor. In a odd turn of fate, Porter has become the leader the Wizards needed in a reduced role.

Tony Snell is a rather understated player for the Milwaukee Bucks. He is quiet by nature and certainly lets his game do the talking. Snell has always been a passable defender. His size and quickness allows him to keep up with most players but his three-point shooting is his main value. Since Snell’s sophomore season he has never had a three-point shooting percentage lower than 36%. Snell fits the 3-and-D mould that coach Mike Budenholzer wants from his wings and he has certainly maintained expectations.

Washington Wizards at Milwaukee Bucks Predictions and Odds

The odds makers have the Milwaukee Bucks favoured over the Washington Wizards by 11.5, with an over/under of 110.