Milwaukee Bucks (23-13) vs Washington Wizards (17-21)
Game Info: Tuesday, January 3, 2023 at 8:00 pm (Fiserv Forum)
Betting Odds: Milwaukee Bucks -8.5 -- Over/Under: Click Here for the Latest Odds
Where to Watch: NBATV, Bally Sports WI, NBCSWA Stream live sports and exclusive originals on ESPN+. Sign up now! 
The Washington Wizards and the Milwaukee Bucks duke it out once again at the Fiserv Forum on Tuesday night.
The Washington Wizards have been in great form as they’ve won six of their last seven games overall and they will be gunning for a season-high sixth straight victory after blowing past the Bucks in a 118-95 road win on Sunday. Rui Hachimura led the team with 26 points on 11 of 18 shooting off the bench, Kristaps Porzingis added 22 points on nine of 16 shooting while Daniel Gafford chipped in with 17 points on eight of 11 shooting. As a team, the Wizards shot 53 percent from the field and seven of 27 from the 3-point line as they hit the ground running and always looked in control after dominating the first quarter by 34-17. The Wizards finished with 17 turnovers for the game, but this win was all about their effort on the defensive end as they were simply the more aggressive and physical team.
Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Bucks have gone cold lately as they’ve lost five of their last six games and they will be hoping to bounce back here after getting thrashed by the Wizards on Sunday. Bobby Portis led the team in scoring with 19 points and 10 rebounds, Jevon Carter added 14 points while Grayson Allen chipped in with 13 points and eight assists. As a team, the Bucks shot just 35 percent from the field and 13 of 49 from the 3-point line as they got off to a sluggish start and were always fighting an uphill battle after managing just 17 points in the first quarter. Brook Lopez scored just eight points on three of 10 shooting while Serge Ibaka finished with just four points on two of seven shooting as they struggled from the start without their key players Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday who were all out.
Looking at the betting trends, the Wizards are 5-1 ATS in their last six road games, 5-0 ATS in their last five games against a team with a winning record and 5-0 ATS in their last five games overall. The Bucks are 4-1 ATS in their last five home games, 0-4 ATS in their last four games against a team with a losing record and 1-5 ATS in their last six games overall.
Head to head, the under is 4-0 in the last four meetings overall.
The Wizards could be shorthanded once again as Taj Gibson and Bradley Beal are both listed as questionable, while the Bucks are still missing Khris Middleton, but they should have George Hill, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jrue Holiday all returning to the lineup. The Wizards have been playing some of their best basketball of the season and they would’ve taken so much confidence from their upset win over the depleted Bucks on Sunday, but it’s always tough to beat the same team twice in a row in their own building, so I’ll stick with the Bucks to bounce back into form with a much-needed victory here.
Peter’s Pick Milwaukee -8.5
AUTHOR: Peter Tran
Mitch's Take...
