(Photo: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports)
Regular Season Game 17
Wizards (9-7) at Bucks (8-7)
November 20, 2017 at 8 PM BMO Harris Bradley Center | Milwaukee, WI TV: NBCSW Radio: 1500 AM
Odds: Even
What to Watch: Milwaukee's Length
This Bucks team is incredibly young, but their length is jaw dropping. First and foremost, Giannis Antetekounmpo. I do not even have to say anything about him. He is accompanied by second year player Thon Maker who stands at 7’1” and Khris Middleton, a 6’8” shooting guard. Their size can be a big problem for any team in the NBA and will cause some issues for the Wizards.
Key Matchup:
Giannis vs. Wizards
Currently averaging 30 points and 10 rebounds, Antetokounmpo is an absolute beast. While there is some exceptional talent on this Bucks squad, they are nothing without The Greek Freak. There is close to zero chance of stopping him so if the Wizards can merely slow him down, the game will be a lot easier for them. Being 6’11” and 222 pounds is leaning the matchup in Milwaukee’s favor. Antetokounmpo has the height of a center, the strength of a power forward, the rebounding/slashing ability of a small forward, the defensive prowess of a shooting guard, and the ball handling skills of a point guard. His weakness? Shooting. Even though he is shooting 56 percent from the field, most of which coming from lay-ups or easy dunks, the Greek Freak is shooting an abysmal 29 percent from deep. Keep him out of the paint, keep him out of the game.
X-Factor:
John Wall's Availability
Still battling left knee soreness, Wall has a chance to play on Monday. Not having Wall on the floor, healthy, is a big hit for this Wizards team. Tim Frazier is a solid backup, but he is a backup, because of this a lot of scoring and ball handling duties fall on to Bradley Beal’s shoulders. Frazier’s most impressive outing this year was headlined by 6 points (in a game which he started). In the end Washington becomes easier to guard with one less person to worry about. Wall is also an above average defensive guard at times, with 1 block and 1 steal per game so far this season. That defensive presence will definitely be missed in a game like this.
Fun Factor:
Kentucky Renuinon
Eric Bledsoe, a new addition to the Bucks, played along side Wall in Lexington back in their college days and the two have stayed close as the latter served as the former’s best man over the summer. Bledsoe has become an immediate contributor to this Milwaukee team. Since his arrival, the Buck have 4 wins and 2 losses. One of those losses Bledsoe did not play, so in reality 4-1. If Wall does play, it will be fun to see the two former Wildcats battle it out on the NBA stage.
Prediction:
The Wizards continue a streak of poor play and lose on the road in Milwaukee.