Milwaukee Bucks Game Preview: Jan. 8 vs Washington Wizards

Major Key For Washington: Get Some Bench Contributions

The Wizards have a really good starting five. Their lineup of John Wall, Bradley Beal, Otto Porter, Markieff Morris and Marcin Gortat has outscored opponents by nearly nine points per 100 possessions, a strong mark from a starting five.

Unfortunately for the Wizards, when they turn to reserve units things typically go bad. When both Wall and Beal sit, Washington gets outscored by 11.2 points per possession, as per NBAwowy. When Porter sits too, the Wizards get demolished by 14.8 points per 100 possessions.

Most teams don’t do well when their stars sit, obviously. The Bucks are outscored by nearly 10 points per 100 possessions when Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jabari Parker both sit. The difference is that the Bucks have only had to endure 136 minutes without either player.

The Wizards have played 354 minutes without either Wall or Beal. Some of that is due to injuries, although rotations play a role as well. Washington just doesn’t have firepower on their bench. The best reverse scorer on the Wizards is Marcus Thornton, who scores just 6.6 points per game.

Giannis and Jabari score the bulk of the Bucks points, but Milwaukee has four bench players who score more per game than Thornton. Those dangerous scorers combined with Giannis and Jabari playing staggered minutes mean the Bucks have capable lineups on the floor most of the time.

Washington can’t really say the same, and the Wizards might need extra help from their reserves to win on Sunday.