Mar 13, 2013; Washington, DC, USA; Milwaukee Bucks point guard Monta Ellis (11) passes the ball as Washington Wizards center Nene (42) looks on during the second half at the Verizon Center. The Wizards defeated the Bucks 106 – 93. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA Today Sports

With a win over Philadelphia, the Miami Heat tied the 1970-71 Bucks for the third-longest winning streak in NBA history.  If the Bucks can figure out a way to win over the Heat Friday, they can seal that tie for good.  The Heat are scheduled to practice in the Cousins Center today.

Gustavo Ayon took the spot of John Henson in the rotation against the Wizards.  Jim Boylan spoke of Washington’s size after the game, so perhaps he played the thicker Ayon over the thinner Henson. “We were a bit overmatched in the size department and over a 48-minute game that can wear you down a bit.”

J.J. Redick was disappointed with the loss, but looking up in the standings.  ”We haven’t secured anything”, he said.  ”I’m not going to be happy if we end up with the eighth seed.  I’m obviously not going to be happy if we don’t make the playoffs, but I think that this team has enough talent to move up. We have to beat teams like the Heat, but we have to beat teams like the Wizards, too.”

Martell Webster said some very un-P.C. things in the locker room after the Wizards’ win. Perhaps he was too giddy.  Eww. Webster buried the Bucks with outside shooting in the first half, but it’s not that surprising.  He has made 45% of his three-point attempts this season.

John Wall took a full hour to emerge for his post-game interview in the locker room.  Even the staff at the Verizon Center seemed a bit befuddled by the length of time it took.

It took a while but I am finally starting to understand the hold that Monta Ellis had over some fans in Golden State.  His play over the last month has been startling.  When there’s a loose ball, I find my eyes inevitably moving to watch Ellis — not because he’s the player closest to the ball, but because he is the one moving toward it the fastest.  But his shot has much less arc than any NBA player I’ve ever seen, so he has to have his proverbial legs under him to be successful.

Recently, he has.  When he won the Eastern Conference Player of the Week Award for the week bridging February and March, he averaged 24.0 points per game on 44% shooting.  In the six games since, he has averaged 28.2 points per game on 55% shooting.

Mike Dunleavy was informed after the game about DeMarcus Cousins‘ non-suspension. He replied professionally and succinctly (and without overt sarcasm), “Good for him. No really, good for him.”

Mar 13, 2013; Washington, DC, USA; Milwaukee Bucks power forward Ekpe Udoh (13) is fouled by Washington Wizards center Trevor Booker (35) during the second half at the Verizon Center. The Wizards defeated the Bucks 106 – 93. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA Today Sports

Playing four games in five nights across a geographical span of four times zones is the NBA equivalent of dodgeball.  You might escape with a cute maneuver here or there, but unless you’re really good (see the incoming Miami Heat, for example), someone else is going to pop you at an inopportune moment.

For the second night in a row, the Bucks got smacked.  The Washington Wizards flattened an already flat team by scoring 60 points in the first half, then they helped Milwaukee to their feet for the third quarter only to deliver a glancing blow in the fourth.

But that third quarter was the interesting aberration for the evening, no?

After the game, coach Jim Boylan said that the Bucks “got some real good leadership in the locker room at halftime… there were a couple good voices in there.”  Later, J.J. Redick said that the most vocal player was Monta Ellis.

It showed in his play, too.  Ellis had 28 points on 19 shots to pair with eight assists, four rebounds and a pair of steals.  His speed and energy in chasing plays went largely unmatched by his teammates.

The third quarter was the sole highlight for the Bucks.  Ersan Ilyasova and Larry Sanders helped the spur the Bucks’ 29-6 outburst spread over six minutes of the period.  Ilyasova and Sanders scored 12 and 7 points in the quarter, respectively, and the pair combined the control the boards.

It was the only time in the game Milwaukee did the requisite work of rebounding — the Wizards bullied them in that area soundly in the other three quarters. Trevor Booker, in particular, boosted the Wizards with 12 rebounds in just over 22 minutes.

The Bucks got beat in other areas, too.  Washington attempted a dozen free throws in the first half, while the Bucks got none.  Zero. Zip.  Milwaukee’s frustration with the officials arose again in the fourth quarter.  Sanders chirped at an official when Nene (game-high 13 rebounds) went over his back for a tip-in.  When another call went against him late in the game, Sanders flashed his mock approval. (GIF credit to @wiz_spurtin)

And that may be the cheeriest way to fetch an automatic ejection.  Referee Bennett Salvatore tossed Sanders moments later.

Sanders (and Boylan, see below) tooke the ejection in stride. He combined a smile and a grimace at the same time when asked about the gesturing that brought on his ejection.  ”I really wanted to win and gain some momentum going into the playoffs. I felt like we played hard, but we didn’t play our best.”

Mike Dunleavy had a terrible game (0/6 FG, 4 rebs, 2 fouls, 1 TO). The troubling play of a much more concerting nature belonged to Brandon Jennings (2/8 FG, 2 TO).  In the first half, Jennings’ speed and quickness vanished.  His passivity was palpable, both on offense and defense.

“I haven’t been shooting as much, but when I was shooting it was a problem”, Jennings said after the game.  ”So now that I’m not shooting, it’s like, ‘Oh he doesn’t want to play basketball’, but I do, it’s just that I’m looking for my teammates more.”

Jennings did barely reach the double-digit assist mark for the fifth time in seven games.

John Wall also had 10 assists but added in 23 points (on 10/19 FG) and four steals for a dominant win in the point guard battle for the evening.