Milwaukee Bucks: Getting To Know Potential Playoff Opponents
By Rohan Katti
Washington Wizards: Regular Season Series 3-1 Wizards
Now we move on to the real business end of likely Bucks opponents.
The Washington Wizards have had an amazing season. After starting 7-13, the Wizards have sealed home-court advantage and currently sit 16 games over 0.500. The backcourt tandem of John Wall and Bradley Beal has been absolutely torching opponents this season with their combination of speed and shooting. In a normal year, Wall would be receiving a lot of MVP consideration.
Even Marcin Gortat has become a legitimately good starting center for this team. The trade deadline move to bring in Bojan Bogdanovic bolstered their bench, and he has been contributing greatly in his new role. Signing Brandon Jennings of #BucksInSix fame at the beginning of March has not only improved their play, but he has become one of the team’s more vocal and physical enforcers. The Wizards are gearing up for a long run, but the Bucks might have something to say about that.
The regular season series highly favored towards the Wizards, but it may not give an entirely accurate read of this matchup. All four games were played before Jabari Parker’s injury and Khris Middleton’s return.
It’s no knock on Parker, but Middleton is a better matchup against Beal/Morris on both ends of the floor, and his return certainly changes the dynamic. Khris can defend the wing, and can easily post-up smaller players.
The key for this potential series would be Middleton’s play for those exact reasons. No team can really contain Giannis Antetokounmpo, but keeping Middleton contained would be the key for Washington. Among potential first round opponents, the Wizards may be the best matchup for the Bucks.