Wizards 1-2 vs Rockets 2-1
When: Wednesday, October 30, at 8 p.m.
Where: Capital One Arena in Washington D.C.
TV: NBCSWA, ATTSN-SW / Radio: 1500 AM, 790 KBME & 740 KTRH / 850 KEYH & 101.7 F
Injury
Wizards: John Wall (Out for the season/ Left Torn Achilles), Jordan McRae (Out/ Foot), CJ Miles (Out/Foot), Ian Mahinmi (Out/ Strained Right Achilles), Troy Brown (Probable/ Left Calf)
Rockets: Gerald Green (Out/ Left Foot Surgery), Michael Frazier (Out/ Right Ankle Sprain), Nene Hilario (Out/ Abductor)
Wizards -
106.3 - points per game
105.7 - points against
43.2 - Field goal %
Rockets -
117.7 - points per game
117.3 - points against
42.0 - field goal %
Notes – Wizards were denied a disabled player exemption for injured point guard John Wall.
Keep an eye on:
Brad Beal: Picking it up offensively. We all know what Beal is capable of as a player, it’s a high standard that he’s set with his outstanding play over the years, with that said, Beal has to step up and be…..Brad Beal. Yes he’s averaging 20.3 points, 7.7 assist and 5.3 rebounds per game, however, his efficiency is down across the board. Beal is shooting 30 percent from the field, 23 percent from deep and 71 percent from the charity stripe. Compared to last season when Beal shot 47 percent from the field, 35 percent from three point range and 80 percent from the free throw line, it’s clear he’s struggling right now. No it’s not time to call a state of emergency either, although, against the high powered Houston Rockets, if Washington want’s a legit chance to win tonight, Beal has to be the Brad Beal we’ve become accustomed to seeing.
Get to the line: Washington shoots a respectable 77 percent from the free throw line as a team. Problem is, they don’t shoot enough of them. The Wizards rank dead last in free throw attempted (15) and free throws made (11.7) per game and with Houston coming to town that will need to change. The Rockets are one of the elite free throw shooting teams, ranking 5th in the NBA at 82 percent. Houston also ranks seventh in the league in free throw attempted (34) and sixth in free throws made (28) per game. Being aggressive attacking the paint on offense and defending efficiently without fouling will be KEY in tonight’s game and will be a great test to see just where Washington is currently as a team and where they can be later in the season.
