Wizards 3-9 vs Magic 6-7
When: Monday, November 12, at 7p.m.
Where: Capital One Arena in Washington D.C.
TV: NBC Sports Washington/ FSFL / Radio: 1500 AM, FM 96.9 The Game
Injury
Wizards: None
Magic: Jonathan Isaac (Out/ Right Ankle Sprain), Aaron Gordon (Day to day/ Left Ankle Sprain), Timofey Mozgov (Out, Right Knee)
Wizards -
110.5 - points per game
119.3 - points against
44.9 - Field goal %
Magic -
103.5 - points per game
108.1 - points against
43.7 - field goal %
Keep an eye on:
Defense:out-rebounded This should’ve been first, regardless, it’s the main area that has held Washington back from being the team that on paper, they should be. They are still dead last in point allowed at 119 per game and ranked 27th in rebounding, grabbing 40 per game. However, there are some bright spots in their defense that shouldn’t be ignored. Washington is 11th in the league in steals (8.1) and 2nd in the league in block shots which shows the Wizards are active and swarming on defense. The issue is the ending of defense by securing the rebound. Washington gets burned when they have a good defensive possession and they give up an offensive rebound which usually leads to a wide open three point shooter. Those shots deflate a team and eats at the trust within the team on that end. In their win over the Heat on Saturday, Washington Miami 59-49 and it’s no coincidence that Washington outscored them 91-75 over the last three quarters after trailing 35-25 after the first. The more alarming thing, this was the first time Washington out-rebounded an opponent this season. Washington have to start winning the rebounding battle, otherwise their defense will suffer with second chance points and ultimately the team will suffer with more losing.
Magic Front Court: In the loss against Orlando on Friday, the Magic front court of high flying forward Aaron Gordon, center Nikola Vucevic and rookie center Mo Bamba combined for 56 points, 23 rebounds and 7 assist on 23-38 shooting ( 60% FG). Washington on the other hand, their front court combined for 33 points, 16 rebounds and 4 assist on 13-21 shooting (61%). The Wizards front court must limit that type of production otherwise Orlando will once again be tough to deal with. Slowing down the rapidly improving Aaron Gordon is top priority. Gordon has elevated his game to where he is way more then just a dunker, he’s a dangerous all around threat now. Gordon is averaging 16.3 points, 8.1 rebounds and 2.5 assist per game on 46 percent shooting from the field and 38 percent shooting from deep. Slow him down and it disrupt a lot of what Orlando is trying to do greatly.
