Final
Wizards cross paths with Bucks
Mar 7, 2015 - 3:23 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - A pair of Eastern Conference inhabitants gearing up for a playoff run tangle in Brew City Saturday night, as the Washington Wizards pay a visit to the Milwaukee Bucks at the Bradley Center.The Wizards are fifth in the East and the Bucks sit 2 1/2 games behind.
Washington hasn't been playing its best ball of late and managed to notch a 99-97 victory over the Miami Heat Friday night. The Wizards built a 40-18 lead after 12 minutes and almost blew a 35-point cushion.
Nene scored 20 points and came up with a huge defensive rebound in the closing seconds, while Tyler Johnson was credited with a controversial tip-in after video replay overturned an offensive goaltending call with 1:08 remaining. That brought Miami within 98-97. Nene then couldn't handle a pass on the right side of the lane, and the ball caromed out of bounds to Miami with 21.3 seconds to go.
Henry Walker, though, missed a shot from the left corner and Nene grabbed the rebound. Bradley Beal made 1-of-2 free throws with 1.6 seconds left. Miami called a timeout after the second attempt missed. The Heat inbounded with 1.3 seconds remaining, but Michael Beasley failed to get a shot off before time expired.
Marcin Gortat had 14 points and 17 rebounds for Washington, which was ahead 83-48 with seven minutes left in the third quarter. Beal had 17 points and John Wall dished out 12 assists for the Wizards, who have won two of three following a six-game skid.
"We've been proving we can lose all kind of leads," said Gortat, who is averaging 14.1 points and 13.7 rebounds in his last seven games.
The Wizards hope to end an eight-game road losing streak Saturday and have a 13-17 mark as the guest. They will visit Charlotte Monday night.
Milwaukee is also going through a rough patch with four straight losses and six in the previous seven games.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Michael Carter-Williams scored 16 points apiece in Wednesday's 102-93 setback at Golden State in the finale of a four-game road trip. Khris Middleton scored 14 points in the loss.
"It's been a learning experience, a process that a young team is going through," Milwaukee coach Jason Kidd said.
Zaza Pachulia had 13 points and 11 rebounds, while Ersan Ilyasova added a double-double of 13 points and 10 boards for the Bucks, who shot 42.5 percent and gave up 28 points on 24 turnovers.
The Bucks will also host New Orleans and Orlando on this three-game homestand and have a 17-11 record at the Bradley Center. They are 8-1 in the last nine games as the host.
Bucks forward O.J. Mayo is expected to miss Saturday's game with a hamstring injury.
Washington has defeated Milwaukee twice this season. It has won four in a row and seven of the last eight encounters between the teams. Wall is averaging 20.0 points and 9.5 assists against the Bucks this season.
- WASHINGTON: 85
MILWAUKEE: 91
Final
Mar 7 11:54 PM - WASHINGTON: 63
MILWAUKEE: 65
End of 3rd
Mar 7 11:20 PM - WASHINGTON: 39
MILWAUKEE: 51
Halftime
Mar 7 10:40 PM - WASHINGTON: 19
MILWAUKEE: 30
End of 1st
Mar 7 10:03 PM - WASHINGTON: 0
MILWAUKEE: 0
1st Quarter - 12:00
Mar 7 8:41 PM
Related News
- Bucks vs. Knicks: A holiday disaster Dec 26
- Holiday gifts for each of the Wizards Dec 26
- Preview: Wizards meet with the Magic day after Christmas Dec 25
- Rapid Recap: Bucks 122, Knicks 129 Dec 25
- Bucks vs. Knicks: Game Thread Dec 25
- Milwaukee Bucks vs. New York Knicks Preview: Christmas Deja Vu Dec 25
- NBA Christmas 2023 Open Thread Dec 25
- Monday Morning Media Roundup: When A Plan Comes Together Dec 25
- Bucks vs. Knicks: Bobbying for Apples Dec 24
- Bradley Beal doesn’t want to see the Wizards move to Virginia Dec 23
- Rapid Recap: Bucks 130, Knicks 111 Dec 23
- Bucks vs. Knicks: Game Thread Dec 23