Wizards vs. Bucks preview: Washington seeks rare road win in Sunday matinee

Game Info

When: Sunday, January 8 at 2:00 pm ET
Where: BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee, WI
TV: CSN Mid-Atlantic
Radio: 1500 AM and Wizards Radio App

Injury Report

Wizards: Ian Mahinmi (Out, Knee), Danuel House (Out, Wrist)
Bucks: Rashad Vaughn (Out, Left Ankle Sprain), Matthew Dellavedova (Out, Hamstring), Khris Middleton (Out, Hamstring)

What to Watch for

Can the Wizards slow down Giannis Antetokounmpo?

Every night that I log onto twitter and the Bucks are playing, it seems as though Giannis makes some incredible play that swings the momentum of the game in favor of the Bucks, or gives the Bucks the win. Headed into his final matchup against the Wizards in the regular season, Giannis is averaging 29.7 points and making 61.2 percent of his shots against Washington. That is almost six points more per game than his season average, and around 7 percent higher shooting from the field. Yes Otto is an elite defender, but with a player like Giannis, it takes all the help defense in the world to stop him from attacking the rim or getting a shot off. If the Wizards can contain Giannis, and force him to shoot from long range (he’s 25 percent from deep against the Wizards this season), then the odds will tip in the Wizards favor to get back to .500 in this one.

Will it be a close game or blowout (On either end)?

This will be the last game that the Wizards play against the Bucks this regular season, which brings the question, which Wizards team will show up. Yes, the Wizards are up 2-1 in the series, but both wins thanks to furious 4th quarter comebacks on their home floor, and their one loss was a blowout on the road. This series has really come down to the forwards for the Wizards playing exceptionally well and hitting game-icing shots, so if Otto and Kelly do not play exceptionally well like they did in the loss, things won’t look too bright for the Wizards.

Most Likely Wizards Killer: Jabari Parker

Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

All great teams need a pair of stars, and this young Bucks team seems to have found the Robin to their Batman. Jabari Parker, the second overall pick in the 2014 draft, is having the best season of his career, averaging career highs in points, rebounds and assists. After what Andrew Wiggins, the first overall pick in 2014 draft, did to the Wizards on Friday, look for this young star to attack the Wizards with his full offensive arsenal.