Milwaukee Bucks: Ranking Potential Eastern Conference Playoff Opponents

Washington Wizards

The Washington Wizards have been the better team against the Milwaukee Bucks this season, winning three of four against the Bucks —  all played before the return of Khris Middleton.

Since an early season slump the Wizards have been soaring and could finish anywhere in the top four in the East.

Milwaukee is equipped better than most to guard the Wizards, as they can field two plus defenders at all times to guard John Wall and Bradley Beal. But where the Bucks struggle is in defensive center depth, as rookie Thon Maker is only averaging a dozen minutes per game.

Behind him, the combination of Greg Monroe, Spencer Hawes and Terrence Jones are not defensive anchors.

The reason this is important is because John Wall and Marcin Gortat run one of the best pick-and-roll games in the league. Crowd Wall, and Gortat is barreling down the lane looking to score. Drop back, and Wall has the space to pull-up or find the open man.

Help, and the NBA’s most accurate three-point shooter this season, Otto Porter, will drain an open three.

The return of John Henson, should it come in time, would be a major boon to the Bucks on defense. His length will help the Bucks slow down the Wizards. On offense, it will need to be the Antetokounmpo show, as the weak spot in the Washington defense is the power forward position.

The Wizards match up well against Milwaukee, but with the Bucks’ combination of athleticism and length they have the defensive chops to go against anyone.

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While they will not — and should not — be favored in any first-round series, Milwaukee should feel confident it can hang with anyone in the East.