The short-handed Milwaukee Bucks weathered a sluggish start and a game-ending, seven-minute field-goal drought to score their second win in as many nights, beating the host Washington Wizards 104-101 on Friday.
Milwaukee, coming into Friday’s contest already down Bobby Portis due to a 25-game suspension for violating the NBA’s anti-drug policy, scratched Damian Lillard shortly before tipoff to manage a lingering hamstring injury.
With Giannis Antetokounmpo under a playing-time restriction to avoid aggravating a calf injury, the Bucks struggled to find scoring options in the fourth quarter. Milwaukee saw a lead of as many as 15 points in the final period whittled to one when former Buck Khris Middleton sank a 3-pointer with 1:01 remaining.
Brook Lopez’s four free throws in the final two minutes were all that kept Milwaukee from giving up the lead entirely.
Lopez finished with 18 points and nine rebounds to help carry the load with Lillard out and Antetokounmpo playing just 19:18. Antetokounmpo added 18 points in his limited floor time, while former Wizard Kyle Kuzma — acquired in the trade that sent Middleton to Washington — led the Bucks with 19 points. Kuzma also grabbed eight rebounds and dished five assists.
Wizards rookie Alex Sarr led all scorers with 22 points, and Corey Kispert came off the bench to knock down 4 of 7 3-point attempts en route to 16 points. Middleton finished with 12 points against his former team.
Kyshawn George matched game highs with nine rebounds and five assists. Jordan Poole dished five assists to go with his 11 points for the Wizards.
After Lopez’s late free throws, he also rejected a Middleton layup attempt at the rim with 33 seconds remaining. The swat gave Milwaukee possession and the opportunity to chew precious clock, forcing Washington into a rushed final possession.
Coming out of a timeout with five seconds remaining, Middleton forced up a would-be game-tying 3-point attempt under pressure, which was no good.
The Wizards led 32-19 after one quarter and were ahead by as many as 16 during the first half before the Bucks clawed back.
