WE’RE ready to kickstart another week in the NBA as we take a look at the Sunday night slate over in the US.
Just the one marquee game for us to dive into so let’s make it a good one;
Milwaukee Bucks @ Washington Wizards
Milwaukee travel to D.C to take on the Washington Wizards in the first of a tough road trip for defending champs.
The Bucks (4-3) have very much limped through the opening fortnight of the season as they struggle to find continuity in their lineup in the early stages of the season. Injuries haven’t been kind to Mike Budenholzer and his team and they’ll again be forced to adjust for this one as Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez remain out.
Grayson Allen is also a game time decision and Jrue Holiday is likely to remain on a minutes restriction after returning to the rotation last game.
While the offensive contributions of those players are notable the impact that that the likes of Lopez in particular have had on their defensive schemes are most worrying.
The Bucks are allowing teams to score frequently and efficiently at the rim of late, which is of greater concern when you factor in their reluctance to run teams off the perimeter either. Teams are scoring at almost 75% at the rim against the injured Bucks and that’s certainly a concern when facing this Washington offence that is second in the league at finishing within 4ft of the basket.
Washington were very impressive last time out against the Grizzlies and their well-balanced offence, which sees four players averaging double-figures this season, will be very difficult to contain here. What’s more is their bench is averaging 38-points in their 19 minutes on court and have been very efficient in their time on court.
My projections have the home team as small favourites given Milwaukee’s injury situation so I’ll happily take them as underdogs in this one.
Our best bet: Washington Wizards win
