Wizards 25-37 vs Wolves 29-33
When: Sunday, March 3rd, at 6 p.m.
Where: Capital One Arena in Washington D.C.
TV: NBCSWA, FSNTH / Radio: 1500 AM, 830 WCCO
Injury:
Wizards: Dwight Howard (Out/ Back), John Wall (Out for the season/ Haglund’s deformity and chronic Achilles tendon injury)
Wolves: Robert Covington ( Day to Day/ Ankle), Luol Deng (Day to Day/ Sore Left Achilles)
Wizards -
113.7 - points per game
116.8 - points against
46.9 - Field goal %
Wolves -
112.4 - points per game
112.4 - points against
45.4 - field goal %
Keep an eye on :
Karl Anthony Towns: An issue for Washington throughout the season has been defending bigs in the paint due to being undersized and switching. Sunday, the Wizards face a tall order in trying to slow down Karl Anthony Towns. Towns is averaging 23.9 points, 12.4 rebounds, 3.3 assist and 1.8 blocks a game on 51 percent shooting from the field, 39 percent shooting from deep and 83 percent from the line. Towns, by himself , brings all the tools to exploit the season long issues of the Wizards, defense and rebounding. This is not just a front court issue, Washington as a team will have to be alert on rotations, close outs and dig downs when it comes to Towns due to his ability to shoot, pass and drive the ball. Teams have had success being physical and attacking Towns. Washington must do the same.
Offensive Rebounding: Washington ranks 27th in the NBA in defensive rebounding, averaging 32.1 a game. Minnesota ranks third in the NBA in offensive rebounding, averaging 11.7 a game. Something will have to give come Sunday afternoon. It's no secret that Washington is among the worst rebounding teams in the league. In fact, their two newly acquired forwards Bobby Portis (8.5) and Jabari Parker (7), lead the team in rebounding since coming over at the trade deadline. Against Minnesota, if Washington won't rebound, the game has a chance to get away from them. Sota has five players who average close to two or more offensive rebounds a game, peaking with Towns 3.4 a game. In comparison, Bobby Portis leads Washington averaging 1.9 offensive rebounds a game. The Wizards will have to rebound by committee or watch Sota eat inside and ultimately, add another loss to Washington's record.
