The Washington Wizards (5-4) defeated the Milwaukee Bucks (5-6) 115-86 on Tuesday.
The Wizards put forth a true team effort in toppling the Bucks, with four starters and one reserve all tallying double-digit scoring. Washington played its third consecutive game without standout shooting guard Bradley Beal (shoulder), but benefited from a second straight productive performance from his replacement, Garrett Temple (10 points, two rebounds, two assists, and two steals). Washington took its game to another level in the second quarter and never looked back, outscoring Milwaukee 37-17 after the Bucks opened the period leading 29-27.
In their first game following a rousing double-overtime victory over Cleveland on Saturday, the Bucks could not generate much offense against a tough Wizards squad. Khris Middleton led Milwaukee with 14 points, a pair of rebounds, and a steal, while Jerryd Bayless pitched in across the stat sheet over a team-high 37 minutes on the floor. The eight-year veteran poured in 13 points, and added six rebounds, three assists, and two steals. He also drained another three buckets from beyond the arc, giving him nine three-pointers over the last three contests. Michael Carter-Williams was not as productive as he was Saturday in his first game back from his ankle injury, managing a modest 12 points and a sole rebound. Greg Monroe endured his worst game in a Bucks uniform to date, amassing only four points, five rebounds, and four assists over 26 minutes. Greivis Vasquez and John Henson led Milwaukee’s reserves with 12 and 10 points, respectively.
The Bucks dropped to 5-6 and are currently in last place in the Eastern Conference’s Central Division. They head to Cleveland for a matchup versus the Cavaliers on Thursday.
For Washington, John Wall and Otto Porter also pitched in 19 points apiece, with the former coming just one assist short of a second consecutive double-double. Marcin Gortat contributed 12 points and nine rebounds, while Kris Humphries was the only member of the starting five in single digits with nine points. Jared Dudley paced the Wizards’ bench with a 13-point performance against his former team, while veteran Gary Neal helped supplement Temple’s efforts at the shooting guard spot with 10 points of his own.
The Wizards currently reside in third place in the Eastern Conference’s Southeast Division, with the outcome of tonight’s Hornets-Knicks contest potentially dropping the Wizards to fourth if Charlotte notches the victory. They travel to Detroit for a road tilt versus the Pistons on Saturday.
