Wizards 5-14 vs Hornets 10-13
When: Sunday, February 7th, at 1p.m.
Where: Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC
TV: NBCSWA, NBA League Pass / Radio: WFED 1500 AM
Injury
Wizards: Thomas Bryant (Out/ Left ACL Surgery), Raul Neto (Out/ Groin)
Hornets: Vernon Carey Jr (G-League-On Assignment), Nate Darling (Out/ G-League-Two Way), DeVonte Graham (Out/ Left Groin Strain), Jalen McDaniels (Out/ G-League-On Assignment), Grant Riller (Out/ G-League-Two Way), PJ Washington (Questionable/ Right Foot Sprain)
Wizards -
115.2 - points per game
121.2 - points against
45.9 - Field Goal %
Hornets -
110.1 - points per game
111.7 - points against
45.2 - Field Goal %
Keep an eye on:
Pissed off Brad Beal: He shot 1-14 and scored 7 points in a blowout loss to Miami last Friday. Need I say more?
Hornets Playmaking: is the best in the league and it forces opponents to be on a string defensively. Charlotte ranks first in the NBA in assists with 28.4 per game. Standout rookie guard LaMelo Ball leads Charlotte with six helpers a game while Devonte Graham and Gordon Hayward nearly combine to dish out ten assists as well. Washington is still trying to find themselves defensively as a unit and facing a team like the Hornets that forces you to consistently rotate and help each other could possibly make it another long night for the Wizards. Scott Brooks announced that Alex Len will get the start at center this afternoon. Len has been a bright spot for Washington since he's joined the team, rebounding, protecting the rim and hedging out with effectiveness when in pick an roll situations while being solid finishing inside. Not saying he will turn things around by himself defensively, however, I wouldn't be shocked at a noticeable improvement defensively right away for Washington.
Bench Mob: for the Hornets is young, dynamic and dangerous. Leading the pack is LaMelo Ball, who has emerged as a triple double threat every time he steps on the floor. Ball is a versatile playmaker that can dominate a game without scoring, yet, can make shots. He's also a very good rebounder and crafty defender. You have to be careful when he's around you, he has a knack for getting steals when the opposing player tends to fall asleep, especially with come from behind strips of the ball.
Next up is high flying forward Miles Bridges who is having the most efficient season of his young career. With Ball setting the plate for him...especially in transition, Bridges is shooting 45 percent from the field, 37 percent from deep and 95 percent from the line so far this season....ALL career highs. Bridges is also a tough, physical, athletic presence on the boards and defensively.
Last is Malik Monk, an unconscious scorer that you have to keep an eye on at all times. When it comes to Monk, it doesn't take much for him to explode and put a large amount of points on the board. Just a week ago, Monk torched the Miami Heat with 36 points on 61 percent shooting from the field, 69 percent from deep and 100 percent from the charity stripe. Monk is shooting 47 percent from the field, 50 percent from deep and 85 percent from the line for the season, averaging nearly 10 points per game.
Washington's bench will have to be on their game or the Hornets bench could be the reason why the Wizards lose their 15th game.
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