Bucks-Wizards Preview

A pair of road wins have the injury-riddled Washington Wizards building momentum as they try to avoid their longest home losing streak in two years.

A matchup with the Milwaukee Bucks could be just what they need.

The Wizards attempt to snap their four-game home losing streak by continuing their success against the Bucks on Wednesday night.

Washington (17-19) is without Bradley Beal (right leg) and Kris Humphries (right knee), while Marcin Gortat's sore left knee could sideline him a second straight game.

Scoring depth was key to overcoming those absences Monday, with seven Wizards reaching double figures in a 114-100 win at Chicago.

"I believe in these guys," said guard John Wall, who had 17 points and 10 assists. "I see these guys put in work every day, and I put in the work every day also, and if these guys get open, I believe they're going to make shots."

Washington could get a lift if Gortat returns. The center averages 13.4 points and 9.7 rebounds but was scratched Monday after getting 12 and 10 in Saturday's 105-99 win at Orlando.

"I don't know if it's a staph infection. Just a small cut on his knee from diving on the floor, and something got in there," coach Randy Wittman said, "and it swelled up and he had a high temperature. So we know it's an infection of some kind, we just got to do the treatment."

If Gortat is out, Nene would start at center again after scoring 14 points while making 7 of 11 from the field against the Bulls.

The Wizards, though, are averaging 92.7 points while losing three straight games at home, and they last dropped four straight there from Jan. 1-11, 2014.

But Washington has won nine of its last 11 matchups with Milwaukee (16-24), including a 115-86 rout in the nation's capital Nov. 17. Six Wizards scored in double digits, with Wall and Otto Porter leading the way with 19 points apiece.

Washington has won three straight at home over the Bucks by an average of 17.7 points.

Milwaukee is trying to build on its own win over the Bulls, a 106-101 victory Tuesday thanks in large part to Giannis Antetokounmpo. The forward had 29 points, 10 rebounds and five assists after totaling 13, 15 and six over the two previous games.

"That's what we need from him," said Greg Monroe, who added 17 points and 12 boards. "He's at his best when he's attacking the rim and getting into the lane."

Antetokounmpo had no trouble doing that against the Wizards on Oct. 30, scoring 27 points with nine rebounds in a 118-113 home loss. He struggled in the defeat at Washington, scoring nine points on 3-for-13 shooting.

Monroe also had a tough time at Verizon Center, finishing with a season-low four points while missing 5 of 6 from the floor. He had 22 against the Wizards at home in October, and enters this meeting averaging 20.8 points over the last four road games.

Khris Middleton leads the Bucks with 16.9 points per game, but he's putting up 23.8 while connecting on 49.6 percent from the floor - 47.7 from 3-point range - over the past eight contests.