Two teams that changed key starts two weeks ago will return to court on Friday night when Washington Wizards hosted Milwaukee Bucks.
Bucks sent the veteran forward Khris Middleton to Wizards for Kyle Kuzma in a four-team agreement on February 6. Middleton is expected to make his wizards debut Friday against his old squad.
“I’m here to be a basketball player. I’m here to win games, here to help win games but I can,” Middleton said. “I will be here as a mentor and what not, but I want Wizards -fans to know that I’m not here just to be a mentor. I’m here to be a basketball player and compete out there and help win games. “
Washington hasn’t won much this season. At 9-45, the young magicians have the worst record in the NBA and had dropped four in a row before the All-Star break and 20 of their last 23 games in total.
Wizard’s defense ranking last in the NBA – which allows an average of 122 points per match – and the crime is 27th (108.6 points average). Jordan Poole has been Washington’s lonely regular offensive threats, with averages of 21.2 points but 27 shots a game.
Milwaukee has stabilized after a rough start and is fifth in the Eastern Conference. Friday will highlight the second game in a back-to-back set for Bucks, which gathered to beat the visiting Los Angles Clippers 116-110 on Thursday.
Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 23 points in 23 minutes in his return from a calf injury after missing the eight previous matches.
“I will let you all find out his minute limit without asking,” said Coach Doc Rivers and smiles at his press conference after the game. “We would take him out at the four (-minute brand in the fourth quarter) and save him for the last two. Giannis wanted to continue because he felt he was warm. It worked tonight. I didn’t love it.”
In five matches with Bucks, Kuzma has an average of 15.6 points and 8.2 returns a game and adds a new weapon to the team’s crime. Rivers pronounced him for turning the tide in the victory on Thursday.
“During the first three quarters we tried to fight switches and go iso ball, and the ball was not moving,” Rivers said. “I thought our biggest adjustment was that we got the ball in Kyle hands and took our guards from the ball so they could get up and get the ball.”
Kuzma will surely receive a warm reception from the Washington audience.
“We want to thank Kyle for his contribution during his time with our team,” said Wizard’s general manager Will Dawkins on the day of the deal. “His impact on and outside the court was felt by teammates, coaches and fans. His commitment … will leave a lasting impact.”
Middleton, 33, was a large part of Buck’s NBA championship 2021 but has been nailed by injuries during the years ago. He is on average his lowest score in total (12.6) since the 2013-14 season.
Bucks has won both their home games against Wizards this season. They published a victory 124-114 on November 30 and EN 112-101 Triumf on December 21.
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