Facing each other for the second time in two nights, the Milwaukee Bucks and the Washington Wizards struggled with more complete lineups when Bradley Beal and Dāvis Bertāns returned to Washington. Milwaukee had to stop an attempted comeback towards the end of the game, but that allowed Giannis Antetokounmpo other triple-double with Bucks prevailing 133-122 for their 9th win in their last 10 games.
NBA.com box score
Bucks was largely in control in the first quarter, leading by 32-23, despite 6 losses in the second quarter. Washington’s highly suspicious interior “defense” made Milwaukee celebrate with passing passes and easy edge penetration, building a 14-point lead at halftime, thanks to Khris Middleton’s 12 points in the period.
In the third, the Bucks led 23 by one point, which Washington reduced to 11, behind Beal, the NBA’s top scorer, 16 points. The Bucks were still leading by 16 in fourth place, but they were a little complacent with 10 minutes remaining. A run of 14-2 Wizards twice reduced the Bucks lead to 5, so Giannis checked in at the 7:33 mark. He would soon score 8 straight to Milwaukee, feasting on Rui Hachimura while he put his third consecutive triple-double to crown an 11 point win: 35 points (12/19 overall and a perfect 6/6 on the line), 15 rebounds and 10 assists. Giannis is the first Buck in the franchise’s history to have three consecutive triple-doubles.
Bradley Beal had a game record of 37 in defeat, accompanied by another strong effort from Hachimura (22 points) and a less annoying Russel Westbrook (23 points, 17 assists). Khris Middleton placed 23 and Brook Lopez had 22 in support of the Greak Freak.
Stat that stood out
15-2: that was the second-point advantage in Milwaukee tonight. The Bucks had ample opportunities at the edge while routinely cutting the Wizards in the paint, but whenever the shots didn’t fall, they were able to clean them. Of its 9 offensive rebounds, the Bucks put the ball in the ring immediately after 7 of them. Meanwhile, the Wizards have converted just one of those opportunities.
Support our website! | BreakingT | ESPN + | ESPN + 30 for 30 | fuboTV | Disney +