Wizards 30-43 vs Heat 35-37
When: Saturday, March 23rd, at 7 p.m.
Where: Capital One Arena in Washington D.C.
TV: NBCSWA, FSSUN / Radio: 1500 AM, 790 The Ticket/ S: WAQI 710 AM
Injury
Wizards: Dwight Howard (Day to Day/ Back), John Wall (Out for the season/ Haglund’s deformity and chronic Achilles tendon injury), Trevor Ariza (Day to Day, Doubtful/ Groin)
Heat: Rodney McGruder (Day to Day/ Left Knee Soreness), Justise Winslow ( Day to Day/ Thigh)
Wizards -
114.3 - points per game
117.0 - points against
47.1 - Field goal %
Heat -
105.7 - points per game
105.9 - points against
45.1 - field goal %
Keep an eye on:
Wizards Tempo: Miami is coming off a tough 116-87 loss to and will be a little fatigued entering their contest against Washington. Wizards, who is currently ranked 9th in the NBA in PACE at 102.4 possessions a game, need to jump on them. Establish a fast pace using their versatility to try and wear down Miami. Miami also ranks 25th in the NBA in PACE at 98.0 possessions per game. Problem is, Miami is one of the more well-conditioned teams in the NBA and are fighting for their playoff lives, being a half game over Orlando for the eighth seed. The Wizards average 14.2 fast break points (13th in the NBA) per game while the Heat average 9.8 points per game getting out on the break. This is a clear advantage for Washington. It will be a tough battle however if Washington is consistent with their pace and execution, they can wear the Heat down and increase their chances of a much needed win.
D-Wade’s Last Game in DC:
The third greatest shooting guard ever in my eyes will suit up for his last game in the nation’s capital when the Wizards and Heat tip off Saturday evening. Wade is averaging 14.2 points, 4 assist and 3.7 rebounds this season as a de facto sixth man for Miami. A for sure first ballot future hall of famer, Wade resume of 3 championships, 06 finals MVP, 13 all-star game appearances, 8 time ALL NBA team , 3 time All NBA Defensive team and a scoring championship etc, speaks for itself. Coming in to the NBA in 2003, the league wasn’t fond of “combo” guards, guards who weren’t a total point or shooting guard but combinations of the two. Wade changed that forever after his dominant finals performance against the Mavericks in 2006 where he averaged 34.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.8 assist, 2.7 steals, 1 block on 46 percent shooting from the field. Wade permanently created a lane where guys like James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Russell Westbrook, John Wall, Damian Lillard, to name a few, can come in and just be themselves and let their games flourish. Very few can say they changed the game and can see their imprint in future generations of NBA players, Dwyane Wade is one who can. Salute Flash!!!
