Milwaukee Bucks didn’t look ready for primetime. Milwaukee Bucks trailed 27-5 to start the game. The bright lights of the ‘Players Only’ games got to them as the Washington Wizards led early on. But Milwaukee kept battling back. Giannis Antetokounmpo wouldn’t let them quit in this game. Milwaukee inched back to make it 14 at halftime then they brought it very close in the third. Washington ends up pulling it out 107-104 in another heartbreaking loss for the Bucks.

Big runs are costing Milwaukee
For the second straight game, Milwaukee let a team get red hot and created a massive hill to climb. On Sunday, New Orleans went crazy in the third quarter, and last night, Washington exploded for 40 point first quarter. Bucks need to find a way to slow these things down. They need to be in more of an attack mode than looking for the normal shots. Give credit for Milwaukee to come back today and force overtime on Sunday, yet, these could have easily been eight or nine point losses, if not more tonight.

Tough night for Middleton and Bledsoe
Milwaukee is going to have some trouble winning games when Eric Bledsoe and Khris Middleton go a combined 12/28 from the field and 3/11 from 3-point land. We talk so much about when all three – Middleton, Bledsoe and Antetokounmpo are rolling together, but when two are off, it’s tough for Milwaukee to win. It’s also frustrating to see these two still trying to create their shots in late in the fourth quarter. When it’s not you’re night, you should be trying to defer unless it’s a great look.

Jabari Parker gets clutch time minutes
After being held on ice Sunday in the late game, Jabari Parker got inserted into late game situations. He played 27 minutes tonight scoring 19 points and grabbing five rebounds. He had a terrific first half playing a huge part in bringing Milwaukee back into this game. Sneaky exciting to watch Giannis and Jabari being the catalysts in making this a basketball game again for Milwaukee. Even though he’s been great lately, I wouldn’t be surprised if he rests tomorrow night.

Next up
Milwaukee turns right around and plays Detroit on Wednesday night. Andre Drummond dominated the Bucks in the first three games of the year and wouldn’t be surprised to see it again. Pistons are really struggling out of the second half as they’ve lost all three games by double digits. We’ll see if the Bucks can get this one because you’d hate to see them lose three straight.