Milwaukee (AP) – Rui Hachimura scored 26 and Kristaps Porzingis scored 22 because the Washington Wizards beat the Milwaukee Bucks 118-95 Sunday night time for his or her fifth straight victory of the season.
The Brawl Bucks performed with out Giannis Antitekounmo, who sat out as a consequence of soreness in his left knee. Antetokounmpo averaged 38 factors and 14.6 rebounds during the last six video games, which included a 43-point, 20-rebound efficiency in Friday night time’s win over Minnesota that snapped Milwaukee’s four-game shedding streak.
Jrue Vacation additionally missed the match as a consequence of sickness, and Chris Middleton sat out the eighth consecutive match as a consequence of a soreness in his proper knee.
“Your purpose is to dominate everybody in entrance of you,” mentioned Wizards ahead Kyle Kuzma. “If the blokes do not play, you are purported to beat these groups.”
Daniel Gafford scored 17 factors for the Wizards (17-21), who weren’t at full power both. They performed with out main scorer Bradley Bell, who suffers from a sore left hamstring.
Bobby Portis led Milwaukee with 19 factors and 10 rebounds. Jevon Carter scored 14 factors and Grayson Allen added 13 factors and eight assists.
Washington led 34-17 after the primary quarter, with Gafford main by 13 factors, because the Wizards took benefit of a two-center lineup with Bucks huge man Brook Lopez benched early with a foul sort out.
Gafford mentioned, “I used to be sticking to the stream of the sport, having confidence and taking the pictures I used to be taking. I felt snug hitting these pictures.”
Milwaukee shot 26% total and solely 3 of 14 from lengthy vary in that interval, whereas the Wizards linked on half of their pictures.
Of the scale benefit, Gafford mentioned, “We took benefit every time we received the possibility. Whoever went to the basket, we received the bucket. They did not have a variety of lead blockers, so we attacked the basket.”
Washington had 72 factors within the paint.
“It is slightly uncommon, not the norm,” Bucks coach Mike Bodenholzer mentioned. “We often shield the sting and shield the paint properly.”
Two fast first quarter errors on Lopez brought on issues for the Bucks.
“I feel his first downside set us again a bit,” mentioned Budenholzer.
Washington coach Wes Unseld Jr. mentioned his workforce’s efforts on protection set the tone.
He mentioned, “We entered the protection early within the recreation and this helped us attain this lead.”
The Wizards drove by 26 within the second quarter and took a 68-50 halftime benefit. Washington shot 57.4% within the first half, whereas Milwaukee hit solely 34.6% of its pictures.
Washington remained simply in management all through the second half because the cold-shooting Bucks didn’t land any sustained runs.
Tip-ins
Wizards: F Taj Gibson sat out for the second straight recreation with a sore left groin. “We do not need to push it to the purpose the place this could possibly be one thing that might go on for lots longer than it ought to,” Unseld mentioned. … Gafford, who averaged 7.1 factors per recreation, scored Washington’s first eight factors.
Bucks: George Hill missed the sport as a consequence of sickness. … Joe Ingles was assessed a technical foul within the first quarter after exchanging phrases with Porzingis, who additionally acquired a technical. … Milwaukee misplaced for less than the fourth time in 19 dwelling video games this season.
distant reminiscence
With 5 straight wins, The Wizards snapped a 10-game shedding streak that started in November and stretched by mid-December. Porcingis mentioned, “By not overreacting, we’re now again and getting some wins collectively. We have an excellent rhythm.”
Subsequent
The 2 groups face one another once more on Tuesday night time in Milwaukee.
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