Bradley, Wall, Morris lifts Antetokounmpo-less Wizards to down Bucks

Bradley Beal, John Wall and Markieff Morris delivered for the Washington Wizards down the stretch to down the Milwaukee Bucks 107-101.

The Wizards overcame their sluggish start that had them trailing in double digits in the first half. The team played without its ace player Giannis Antetokounmpo who was not able to play because of illness. Antetokounmpo is averaging 24 points per game this season, USA Today reported.  

Wizards coach Scott Brooks said that that the team relaxed on the first half but picked up the slack in the second half.

"In the first half, we gave them everything they wanted. I think human nature kicked in. They didn't have Giannis and we kind of relaxed. You can't do that," he said.

The Wizards made a 15-6 run in the second half to take the lead for the first time at 64-63 courtesy of Oubre's dunk. Oubre had 10 of his 17 points in the third which helped the Wizards close out the quarter with 33-21 tally against the Bucks.

Bradley Beal led the Wizards with 26, Wall came away with 16 and Morris had a double double performance with 20 points and 10 rebounds.

Wall gave credit to the Bucks for the hard-fought game. He commended the Buck's shooters who gave them a hard time. After turning the ball over 12 times in the first half, he said that their reduced turnovers in the third and fourth quarter gave them the win.

On the Buck's side, Jabari Parker led all scorers with 28 points, Michael Beasley added 18 and Malcolm Brogdon dropped a career-high 22 points.

Bucks' coach Jason Kidd who was visibly bothered after the game repeatedly blamed himself for the loss saying that it was bad coaching on his side, Reuters reported.

Meanwhile, Matthew Dellavedova has returned for the Bucks after missing five games due to sore right hamstring. Brogdon has since been moved to the starting lineup and has stayed there while Dellavedova came off the bench.