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Wizards vs. Bucks preview: Washington preps to host the best team in the East

Milwaukee Bucks v Washington Wizards Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images

Game Info

When: Saturday, February 2 at 7 pm Eastern Time
Where: Capital One Arena in Washington DC
TV: NBC Sports Washington

Injury Report

Wizards: Otto Porter Jr. (Questionable, Toe), John Wall (Out, Heel), Markieff Morris (Out, Neck), Dwight Howard (Out, Back)

Bucks: Eric Bledsoe (Probable, Achilles), Sterling Brown (Probable, Wrist), Jason Smith (Probable, Knee), Donte DiVincenzo (Out, Heel)

What to Watch for

How will the Wizards stop Giannis?

Washington has struggled on defense all season, but especially against the league’s top players. Five of the ten starters in the 2019 All-Star Game have scored at least 35 against Washington this season. Giannis Antetokounmpo is not one of them, but he hasn’t played against the Wizards yet. He missed the first meeting of the season with a sore quad; a game Washington won 113-106.

Now that’s he’s back healthy, the Wizards will have their hands full, especially if Otto Porter isn’t available. Last season, Giannis averaged 26.8 points, 13.3 rebounds, 6.3 assists, and 3.0 blocks per game in four meetings against Washington.

The Wizards were still able to go 2-2 against Milwaukee in spite of those big numbers, but it will be a lot harder to keep up if he posts similar numbers this season. Milwaukee has the top defense in the league and the fourth-best defense, so even if they can keep him in check, that won’t be enough for Washington to secure a win.

A random moment in Wizards - Bucks history: Gilbert Arenas, from way downtown