Wizards Beat Bucks 128-116 in Opener: Our Pick Grades

The Washington Wizards opened their season with a 128-116 win over the Milwaukee Bucks at Capital One Arena, and Milwaukee's first game in 13 years without Giannis Antetokounmpo on the roster ended in a 12-point road loss. Washington's new-look roster, built with real intent to compete, found its rhythm at home and pulled away late.

Our premium pick: Washington -4.5 — HIT. The Wizards won by 12, covering the number with room to spare. The pre-game read that Milwaukee's loose defense — allowing 119.8 points per game — would struggle against a motivated home team held up.

Total: Over 239.5 — HIT. The combined 244 points cleared the number. Both teams played fast, and the track meet the over needed showed up.

Moneyline: Washington — HIT. The Wizards closed it out at home, cashing that call as well.

The takeaway for future picks: early-season roster turnover creates real market inefficiencies, and backing the team with something to prove at home — especially against a franchise missing its cornerstone — is a trend worth tracking. Milwaukee's defensive issues look like a season-long subplot, not a one-game blip. Washington's offense answered the opening-night question, and the market's lean toward the home side was right.