Wizards 11-16 vs Celtics 16-10
When: Wednesday, December 12th, at 7 p.m.
Where: Capital One Arena in Washington D.C.
TV: NBC Sports Washington, NBCSB / Radio: 1500 AM, 98.5 The Sports Hub
Injury
Wizards: Dwight Howard (Day to Day/ Gluteal Soreness), John Wall ( Day to Day/ bone spurs, left Heel ), Otto Porter Jr ( Day to Day/ Knee )
Celtics: Aron Baynes (Day to Day/ Ankle Sprain), Al Horford (Day to Day/ Left Knee Soreness), Gordon Hayward (Day to Day/ Illness), Guerschon Yabusele ( Day to Day/ Right Ankle Sprain), Kyrie Irving ( Day to Day/ Shoulder)
Wizards -
111.6 - points per game
116.4 - points against
45.8 - Field goal %
Celtics -
110.4- points per game
102.8 - points against
47.2 - field goal %
Keep an eye on:
Rebounding: Washington has been one of the worst teams rebounding the ball this season, averaging 40.7 per game which ranks 28th in the NBA. This was very apparent in their back to back losses to the Cavs and Pacers. In both losses, the Wizards were out-rebounded 113- 83. That just can’t happen if the Wizards have any hopes of winning Wednesday night against Boston. The Celtics averaged 46.7 rebounds per game which is 15th in the NBA and they do it by committee. Boston has eight players averaging between 4.2 and 6.4 rebounds per game. Washington as a TEAM will have to do a efficient job of rebounding or it will be a repeat of what we’ve seen the last couple of games.
Points in the Paint: 52 against the Cavs and 42 in a loss to the Pacers Monday night. This is where the Wizards miss the presence of Dwight Howard a great deal. Opponents are going to work scoring inside against Washington due to their lack of depth at center. Thomas Bryant is a workhorse, plays with a ton of energy and is fairly athletic, but doesn’t have the experience to be a rim protector in the NBA quite yet. Ian Mahinmi is 6’11 and a veteran, however, his decision making and instincts on defense makes him foul prone, which hurts the Wizards even more by having teams get in the bonus early and often. This is why Scott Brooks has elected to go small, although when he does, opposing centers thrive, see Tristan Thompson’s 23 points and Myles Turner’s 26 points for evidence. Both Losses. Washington will have to swarm more to force turnovers and force Boston to play to the Wizards strength of uptempo basketball. That way, Boston’s big’s will second guess once they’re in the paint trying to score. Mix things up defensively to keep Boston second guessing to lessen the damage done inside offensively. Washington really don’t have many more options right now.