The Milwaukee Bucks will try and snap a three-game losing streak tonight in Washington as they play Khris Middleton’s Wizards at Capital One Arena. The Bucks (18-27) have lost seven of their last nine games and are in 12th place in the Eastern Conference.
Milwaukee outscored Washington by four points in the third quarter but still trailed 82-72 going into the fourth. Ryan Rollins had eight points and five assists in the frame.
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The Wizards took a 57-43 lead at halftime, thanks to an 11-0 run in the second quarter. Bucks guard Cole Anthony, who began the day questionable with an illness, went 1-for-10 in the first half as was limited to nine minutes with foul trouble.
Washington took a 25-22 lead after the first quarter thanks to a 9-for-9 mark from the free throw line, four of which came in the final moments thanks to Bobby Portis Jr. and Pete Nance fouling 3-point shooters. Portis’ foul was on Bub Carrington, who made the shot. Milwaukee started the game 1-for-8.
The Wizards are one of just three teams worse than the Bucks in the East and are 11-34 overall, but they have beaten the Bucks twice already. Milwaukee won the season opener in Middleton’s homecoming on Oct. 22.
Bucks forward Bobby Portis grabs a rebound in front of Wizards forward Marvin Bagley III during the first half of their game Dec. 31 at Fiserv Forum.
Is Giannis playing?
No.
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The Bucks superstar strained his right calf for the second time this season on Jan. 23 and is out indefinitely. He self-diagnosed being out four-to-six weeks, but head coach Doc Rivers said there is timetable for a return for Antetokounmpo.
What is the Bucks record without Giannis?
3-12
Bobby Portis Jr. after practice on Jan. 26: “Obviously it’s gonna be tough. I’m not gonna sit here and act like it’s aw, yeah, this answer is gonna solve the problem or that answer is going to solve the problem. Obviously it’s tough. You got an all-time great that’s out and lowkey the team is built around him. So, it ain’t gonna be just peaches and cream but at the same time we’re pros and guys have to step up and you know, probably play more minutes then they probably ever have, probably have more usage or more volume than they ever have, so different nights somebody is gonna shine different and everybody has to be cool with that. The biggest thing is stacking days, stacking wins.”
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Giannis Antetokounmpo, out (right calf strain)
Kevin Porter Jr., out (right oblique strain)
Taurean Prince, out (neck surgery)
Gary Harris, out (left hamstring soreness)
Cole Anthony, available (illness)
Bucks starting lineup
Guards: Ryan Rollins, AJ Green
Forward: Kyle Kuzma, Bobby Portis Jr.
What channel is the Bucks game on?
The game will be broadcast nationally on Amazon Prime Video with Kevin Harlan, Dell Curry, John Wall and Kristina Pink on the call.
What time is the Bucks game?
Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET.
Bucks vs. Wizards odds
Milwaukee is a 2.5-point favorite over Washington, with the over/under set at 222.5 points, per BetMGM.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wizards lead the Bucks 82-72 after third quarter