Bucks
Wizards Own the Paint and Pull Away From Bucks in the Fourth
Washington beat Milwaukee 128-116 at Capital One Arena. The Wizards missed most of their threes but scored heavily inside and at the line, then took over after the Bucks led heading into the final quarter. Washington moves to 2-1, while Milwaukee falls to 0-3.
By the Hoops Nightly Desk · updated 17 h ago01The story of the nightThe turning pointMilwaukee had the better of the middle of the game.
Milwaukee had the better of the middle of the game. The Bucks won the second quarter 33-26 and went to the break up 56-51. The Wizards took the third quarter 39-37, but the Bucks still led 93-90 going into the fourth. That is where the game turned. Washington scored 38 in the final quarter, and Milwaukee managed only 23. The Bucks, who had hit 15 threes on 41 tries through the night, could not keep pace once the Wizards kept getting to the rim and the line. The lead changes ended up even at 7 for each side, but Washington held the biggest lead of the game at 13.
02The top performersAnthony Davis led all scorers with 34 points and 12 rebounds.
Anthony Davis led all scorers with 34 points and 12 rebounds. He made 11 of 20 shots and 11 of 14 free throws in 33.8 minutes. Trae Young scored 20 and handed out 13 assists, though he shot 4 of 13 and missed all six of his threes. He made 12 of 16 at the line. Kyshawn George added 18 on 8-of-14 shooting. For Milwaukee, Tyler Herro scored 24 with 9 assists, but it took 21 shots. Jaime Jaquez Jr. was efficient with 22 points on 8-of-12 shooting and 7 rebounds. Kasparas Jakucionis gave the Bucks 15 off the bench.
03Where it was wonThe paint decided it.
The paint decided it. Washington scored 70 points inside to Milwaukee's 50. The Wizards also went to the line far more, making 32 of 41 free throws to the Bucks' 19 of 23. That offset a poor night from deep, where Washington hit just 6 of 28 against Milwaukee's 15 of 41. The Wizards also won the possession game. They committed 11 turnovers to the Bucks' 16, and they turned those into 18 points to Milwaukee's 11. Washington had 11 steals and 7 blocks, and it outrebounded the Bucks 57-48. Milwaukee did win fast-break points, 16-9, and the bench, 45-39.
04What it meansThe Wizards improve to 2-1 and sit sixth in the East, with a win in their latest game.
The Wizards improve to 2-1 and sit sixth in the East, with a win in their latest game. They got a big night from Davis and enough from the rest of the rotation to cover for the cold shooting from three. Justin Champagnie was a plus-17 in 20.7 minutes, the best mark on the team. Milwaukee is 0-3 and 15th in the East, having now lost three straight. The Bucks had the shooting from deep and the lead after three quarters, but they gave up too much inside and could not stop Washington down the stretch.
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