Kuzma Triple Double’ Washington beats Milwaukee without Antetokounmpo for five consecutive wins [NBA]
The Washington Wizards (hereinafter referred to as Washington) beat the Milwaukee Bucks (hereinafter referred to as Milwaukee) without Janis Antetokounmpo (27, Greece) with the performance of Kyle Kuzma (27), who recorded his second triple double.
Washington beat Milwaukee by 118-95, 23 points, in the NBA 2022-23 regular league game held at the Faiserve Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on the morning of the 2nd (Korea Standard Time). As a result, Washington became 17 wins and 21 losses and continued to win five consecutive games. (23 wins and 13 losses in Milwaukee)
Washington was active in the match with Louis Hachimura with 26 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, Christophe Porzingis with 22 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals, and Kuzma with 10 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists. In Milwaukee, Bobby Portis fought hard with 19 points, 10 rebounds, and Grace Allen with 13 points, 5 rebounds, and 8 assists.
Washington hit Milwaukee’s paint zone with a two-big lineup in the first quarter. Washington’s attack using Daniel Gafford was valid early in the quarter, and Porzingis played the game with a mid-range jumper in the middle of the quarter. In addition, Gafford joined the scoring again in the second half of the quarter, scoring 13 points in the quarter alone. Washington finished the first quarter with a lead of 34-17, 17 points.
Washington’s bench lineup led by Hachimura overwhelmed the Milwaukee bench early in the second quarter. In Milwaukee, Marzon Beauchamp and Portis fought hard, but they were unable to stop Washington, where Kuzma scored. Washington ended the first half with a 68-50 lead and an 18-point lead.
Washington still showed Gafford overwhelming the opposing big men early in the third quarter, and Kuzma took the lead and collapsed Milwaukee’s defense. Milwaukee had no choice but to feel the absence of Antetokounmpo and Zuru Halladay. Washington opened the fourth quarter with an 88-70, 18-point lead with Hachimura’s score late in the quarter.
Milwaukee couldn’t find a way to counter Washington’s height even in the fourth quarter due to a lack of available personnel. Washington then mercilessly began beating the Milwaukee Paint Zone and maintained the score around 20 points. Meanwhile, Kuzma achieved a triple double. In the end, Washington knocked out all the starters three minutes and 50 seconds before the end of the game.
Washington won the game by a margin of 118-95, 23 points, after garbage time.
