Bucks-Wizards Preview

By JORDAN GARRETSON

(AP) -- The Washington Wizards ended their losing streak with an improved defensive performance, but knocking off the Milwaukee Bucks for a second time this season could be difficult if Bradley Beal remains out.

His status is uncertain for Tuesday night's meeting in the nation's capital, while Milwaukee will be without forward Jabari Parker for its three-game trip.

The Wizards (4-4) snapped a three-game losing streak with a 108-99 win against visiting Orlando on Saturday despite being without Beal, who missed his second straight game due to a shoulder injury. He didn't practice Monday.

Washington looked better on the defensive end after surrendering 119.0 points per game during its skid. Orlando was also limited to 4-for-18 3-point shooting after the last three opponents were 40 of 86 from deep against the Wizards.

"We still have to continue - we left possessions where we don't finish them. Where we defend for 20 seconds and give up a layup or something at the buzzer of the 24-second (clock)," coach Randy Wittman said. "We've got to keep working at that, but it was better."

Beal scored 26 and was 5 of 6 from long distance while Ramon Sessions added 23 points off the bench in a 118-113 win at Milwaukee on Oct. 30. Beal's 23.3 points per game and 52.0 field-goal percentage in six meetings with the Bucks are his best against a single opponent.

Milwaukee (5-5) avoided a third straight loss by winning 108-105 in double overtime against Eastern Conference-leading Cleveland on Saturday, snapping the Cavaliers' eight-game winning streak.

"It's huge. It's something that we have to build on," said Greg Monroe, who scored 16 points with a season-high 17 rebounds. "We have to take what we did in this game - the intensity and energy that we played with - and carry it over to future games."

Monroe was one of seven Bucks to score at least 11 points, led by Michael Carter-Williams and Jerryd Bayless at 17 apiece. Monroe and Giannis Antetokounmpo pace Milwaukee with 17.8 points per game while three others average at least 12.6.

"It's not one person that's going to score a bunch of points for us. It's going to take everyone on the floor, they're going to have to contribute," he said. "We have to find a way to continue to play like this."

Antetokounmpo scored a season-high 27 in the first meeting with the Wizards, and Parker missed that one as well as he was still working his way back from a torn left ACL.

A sprained right foot will keep him from playing in this one after Parker had season highs of 12 points and 30 minutes Saturday.

Washington shot well against the Magic from long distance without Beal - its top long-range marksman - going 12 of 29 from beyond the arc. The Wizards had shot 29.7 percent from 3-point range over a 1-4 stretch since making 12 of 21 3-pointers in Milwaukee last month.

Kris Humphries hit a career-high five 3-pointers for a team-best 23 points on Saturday. He's 13 for 28 from deep this season compared to 2 for 26 before in his career.

The Bucks also played well defensively against the Cavaliers, holding them to 40.7 percent and forcing 21 turnovers leading to 26 points. Washington has committed only 19 turnovers in its last two games after averaging an NBA-worst 19.5 previously.

The Wizards have averaged 105.3 points on 48.6 percent shooting while winning eight of the last 10 meetings.