Wizards at Bucks
THE STORY: The Washington Wizards attempt to avoid a 0-3 start when
they host the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday. Washington is 0-2 for the
fourth time in five seasons and its offense struggled in losses to the
New Jersey Nets and Atlanta Hawks. Second-year point guard John Wall has
nearly as many turnovers (10) as assists (11). Wall is averaging 16.5
points but shot only 32.1 percent from the field. The Wizards scored
only 83 points against the Hawks after totaling 84 against the Nets in
the season-opening contest. The Bucks beat Minnesota on Tuesday after
losing its opener at Charlotte the previous night. Milwaukee guard
Brandon Jennings has played well and has been the team’s high-point
scorer in both games after leading the team in scoring on 20 occasions
last season. Jennings scored 24 points in the win over Minnesota and had
22 against Charlotte. Jennings also has 11 assists against only two
turnovers.
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, CS Washington, FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee)
ABOUT THE WIZARDS (0-2):
Forward Andray Blatche is under the radar after a poor start and
publicly criticizing his role on the team. Blatche was only 2-for-13
shooting for four points in the loss to Atlanta and has made only 26.9
percent of his shots through two games. After the season-opening loss to
New Jersey, Blatche said he should be utilized more in the paint and
less as an outside shooter. He is averaging only 7.5 points after
scoring 16.8 per game last season.
ABOUT THE BUCKS (1-1):
With Carlos Delfino (wrist) and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (knee) out with
injuries, and Drew Gooden serving a one-game suspension for a flagrant
foul, Milwaukee coach Scott Skiles looked deeper down his bench in the
Minnesota game and gave 24 minutes of playing time to forward Jon Leuer,
the team’s second-round draft pick from Wisconsin. The move paid off as
Leuer had 14 points and eight rebounds in 20 minutes after playing only
one minute in the season-opening game against Charlotte.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Milwaukee is 5-1 in its last six home games against Washington.
2. Nick Young is coming off the bench but leads the Wizards in scoring at 18.5 points per game.
3. Delfino practiced Thursday and could make his season debut against the Wizards.