Washington Wizards vs Milwaukee Bucks 2/1/22: Starting Lineups, Matchup Preview, Betting Odds, Live Stream

Washington Wizards vs. Milwaukee Bucks Matchup Preview (2/1/22)

Washington will try to turn its season around and move in the right direction once again when it travels to Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee to challenge the Bucks. It has been quite the tumble for the Washington Wizards, plummeting to 11th place after being first in the Eastern Conference at the beginning of the 2021-22 NBA season. They are currently riding a five-game losing streak with losses coming to the Memphis Grizzlies, Los Angeles Clippers, Boston Celtics, Toronto Raptors, and Brooklyn Nets. Additionally, Washington will be without star guard Bradley Beal for the next few games due to a wrist injury that he recently sustained. The Wizards are likely just playing it safe with Beal, but it certainly does not help to be without him during their streak of awful play. The Bucks had been playing well until they got dusted by the Denver Nuggets at home by 36 points on Sunday night. They still are without Brook Lopez, but that in no way justifies getting dubbed by 36 at home. Milwaukee will look to turn things around in this one, and who better than against the directionless Washington Wizards.

Washington Wizards vs. Milwaukee Bucks Betting Odds

Expect a huge bounce back from the Milwaukee Bucks in this game. Their culture is too solid to drop back-to-back games at home, especially after a home blowout loss to the Denver Nuggets by just shy of 40 points. Meanwhile, the Wizards are just a horrendous basketball team right now, and I would struggle to bet them against anyone right now, especially without the services of Bradley Beal. This one is simple for me; I’ll take the Milwaukee Bucks ATS.

TV Schedule

Date: 2/1/22
Time: 7:30 PM ET
Arena: Fiserv Forum – Milwaukee, WI
Channel: TNT

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Washington Wizards Starting Lineup

PG: Spencer Dinwiddie
SG: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
SF: Corey Kispert
PF: Kyle Kuzma
C: Thomas Bryant

Washington Wizards Analysis

When things didn’t look like they could get much bleaker for the Washington Wizards, Bradley Beal sustained a wrist injury that will keep him sidelined for a few games. While this isn’t the be-all and end-all for the Wizards, it certainly does not help their cause in making the post-season. After being first in the Eastern Conference through the first month or so of the NBA season, Washington has dropped to 11th place. Beal’s absence will force other players to step up and score, such as Kyle Kuzma, who has played exceptionally well since being traded from the Los Angeles Lakers. Kuzma has had a scorching streak In his past 15 games when he has averaged close to 23 points, 11 rebounds, and three assists per game on 52% from the field. Washington is riding a five-game losing streak, with three of those losses coming by four points or less. It does not help that the Wizards now have to travel to Milwaukee to face the Bucks in Fiserv Forum, where the Bucks have been excellent recently.

Milwaukee Bucks Starting Lineup

PG: Jrue Holiday
SG: Grayson Allen
SF: Khris Middleton
PF: Bobby Portis
C: Giannis Antetokounmpo

Milwaukee Bucks Analysis

Things were looking good for the Milwaukee Bucks until they dropped two of their past three to the Denver and Cleveland, including a home blowout loss against the Nuggets. Their only win came against the New York Knicks, which hardly counts as “positive momentum.” For the Bucks to take that next step towards championship basketball once again, they have to hone in defensively. Milwaukee has some excellent shooters on its team and plenty of playmakers in Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jrue Holiday, and Khris Middleton, so offense won’t be a long-term problem. However, until the Bucks can hold teams between 100-110 consistently, they won’t be quite as good as before. Either that or start shooting 50% from the field and 40% from deep as a team. It’s their choice.

Washington Wizards vs. Milwaukee Bucks Daily Fantasy Picks

Although the Wizards have been below-average after such a strong start, they have had one player who has looked terrific in that period: Kyle Kuzma. After his time in Los Angeles, Kuzma had turned into somewhat of an internet meme, with many overlooking his apparent potential. This season, Kuzma has flipped the narrative that he doesn’t belong in the NBA on its head, averaging 16 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 2.9 assists on 45.7% from the field. While those aren’t world-killing numbers, he has been even more impressive recently. In his past 15 games, he has averaged nearly 23 points, 11 rebounds, and three assists per game on 52% shooting. In six of those games, he’s scored at least 25 points, with two of the games being over 30 points. Kuzma’s last game was another stellar one as he posted 30 points and eight rebounds in a road loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. All things considered, Kuzma is one of the game’s more underrated basketball players, and his numbers tell everything you need to know. Kuzma is an excellent play in DFS, even though the Wizards are struggling; someone has to score, right?

If the Milwaukee Bucks were far and away the best team in the Eastern Conference right now, Giannis Antetokounmpo would likely be a runaway MVP favorite; however, they are fifth right now in the East, and several others are playing just as well and efficient, including Nikola Jokic, LeBron James, and Joel Embiid. In the Bucks’ most recent game against Jokic and the Nuggets, Giannis finished with 29 points, nine rebounds, and two assists, but they lost by 36 points. Meanwhile, Jokic dropped 18 points, 15 assists, and nine rebounds, showing incredible offensive versatility and vision once again. Still, Giannis is and always will be a fantastic DFS option. He has averaged nearly 29 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists on the year, constantly stuffing the stat sheet to its numeric limits. If you can afford Giannis, play him, especially against a Wizards team with no direction.