The essentials:
Wizards (23-18) at Bucks (17-27)
6 p.m.
Bradley Center
CSN
This year:
January 4: Wizards 101, Bucks 77
Notable Bucks numbers this season:
27th in expected winning percentage (.292).
21st in pace factor (89.3 possessions per game).
20th in offensive efficiency/offensive rating (105.5)
28th in defensive efficiency/defensive rating (112.4).
Key links
Brew Hoop.
The Bratwurst
Bucks Diary.
Brew Hoop Game Preview.
AD Bog Bio.
Jamison is on the bubble for the All-Star Game, but he's not on the bubble for odd quotes about defense.
Eddie Jordan with some respect for Michael Redd.
Competition discussion: Milwaukee.
Starting lineups:
Bucks
PG: Maurice Williams
SG: Michael Redd
SF: Bobby Simmons
PF: Yi Jianlian
C: Andrew Bogut
Wizards
PG: Antonio Daniels
SG: DeShawn Stevenson
SF: Caron Butler
PF: Antawn Jamison
C: Brendan Haywood
Tonight's lines:
Wizards at Bucks: Wizards by 2.
Over/Under on Big 2 scoring: 43.9 points.
Mr. Pibb + Redd Vines = Crazy Delicious: When these two faced off earlier this month, Michael Redd (along with some others) were injured and a 24 point drubbing ensued. Since Redd returned the Bucks have gone 2-6, but before anyone jumps to conclusions, the Bucks losses have come to the Lakers, Suns, Jazz, Warriors, Hornets, Suns (again), and the Raptors. The two wins against Atlanta (not a slouch by any means) and Indiana (where Redd went off for 37). Considering that the Wizards are still 23rd in 3 point defense, they might want to put a little extra emphasis on sticking tight to him.
Either that, or bust out the old "Eye for an eye" trick: The Bucks have the worst 3 point % defense in the NBA at 38.5%. Expect Roger and Nick to have big games tonight, unless DeShawn goes into flamethrower mode.
Beer sales plummet: Antawn Jamison is back in Milwaukee, which means that no one is going to have to arrange for designated drivers tonight.
What would be like to talk with Steve Buckhantz? If we knew the answer, then we'd be as cool as the Brew Hoop guys who were able to get this interview with the Bucks play-by-play man.
While we're talking about Mr. Dagger: It's the Wizards and the Bucks, so this has to be shown at some point:
This is an open thread, so whether you're a big dog or a puppy dog, there's a place for you here.