Washington Wizards: Three Things to Watch for vs. Milwaukee Bucks

Here are three things to watch for in tonight's Washington Wizards vs. Milwaukee Bucks game.

The Washington Wizards (2-10) have lost five straight games heading into a tough matchup with the new look Milwaukee Bucks (9-4).

It has been tough for the Wizards so far and now they have to face former MVP forward Giannis Antetokoumpo. 

Here are three things to watch tonight in a game that may get out of hand.

1. Matchup Between Milwaukee Guard Damian Lillard and Washington Guard Jordan Poole.

Note to self: Don't talk sh*t to @Dame_Lillard. Jordan Poole learned the hard way.

(via @manscaped) pic.twitter.com/gQlr97lKyO

— The Volume (@TheVolumeSports) April 27, 2022

It has been documented that the two guards had some run ins in the Western Conference during tenures with their previous teams.

Lillard has been outspoken about Poole's trash talk during his few first years in the league and that he didn't like it very much.

I doubt Poole will even guard Lillard as common sense would say the Wizards will put someone else on him that isn't there worst defender.

Why Damian Lillard Doesn’t Like Jordan Poole

But it may be different on the other side of the court and with how much Poole has struggled to play defense it may be a matchup the Bucks seek out.

Much of this may be swept under the rug but it'll be interesting to see if any words are exchanged during big moments.

2. The Fierce Rebounding Battle Between Two of the NBA's Worst.

A lot can be said about how atrocious Washington is rebounding the ball, averaging an awful 38.9 per game which is worst in the league.

On the Milwaukee side they haven't been very good this year, ranking a lowly 27th in the NBA at 41.5 rebounds per game.

Can the Wizards take advantage and win the rebound battle?

Wizards Desperately Need To Improve In This Area

Probably not, at least they haven't so far and doing so is their only shot to keep the game close.

The Bucks have guys that can rebound, with Antetokounmpo and forward Bobby Portis.

Where as Washington only has center Daniel Gafford.

Even if the Wizards win the rebounding battle, Milwaukee still has the offensive firepower to overwhelm them.

Washington Wizards guard Bilal Coulibaly (0) dunks the ball as Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) looks on in the fourth quarter at Capital One Aren / Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

3. Who Will Washington Rookie forward Bilal Coulibaly Guard?

Now this is intriguing.

Will Coulibaly draw the assignment of guarding Antetokounmpo or will it be against Lillard?

Either way we're blessed with another night of watching this 19-year-old go toe to toe with the NBA's best.

This block by Bilal Coulibaly is unreal. Jalen Brunson was lighting the Wizards up and he comes in and gets a huge block. It embodies everything from him. Great length and recovery, even when he’s beat he can still make a play. pic.twitter.com/ye7bqo5aGr

— Gage Sheets (@SheetsG23) November 18, 2023

Coulibaly won't be perfect tonight but its about learning and taking lessons for future meetings.

But the lengthy forward will still make a couple spectacular defensive plays.

The rookie is the center of this rebuild and nights like tonight are going to build him into a better player and leader for this franchise moving forward.

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