Washington Wizards (4-8/ Tied for 10th in East) vs Charlotte Hornets (6-9/ Tied for 9th in East) When: Friday, November 22, at 7p.m.
Where: Capital One Arena in Washington D.C.
TV: NBC Sports Washington, FSSE-CHA / Radio: 1500 AM, WFNZ 610 AM/ 102.5 FM
Injury Wizards: John Wall (Out for the season/ Left Torn Achilles), Ian Mahinmi (Out/ Achilles) Hornets: None
Wizards - 119.7 - points per game 121.1 - points against 47.9 - field goal % Hornets - 104.9 - points per game 112.8 - points against 44.1 - field goal % Keep an eye on:
Devonte Graham: has become one of the more lethal, underrated young guards in the entire NBA. Second year guard out of Kansas is averaging a team high 18.2 points, 6.9 assist and 3.4 rebounds per game. His shooting from 3-point range (41%)has opened his game up tremendously, allowing him to use his speed and quickness to make plays for others and score at a good clip. You saw the flashes last season in the G-league and now Graham is putting it all together and being consistent. Great to see and no doubt Graham should be at the top of the scouting report for Washington as someone to slow down or it will be a long night.
Wizards Offense: is POTENT!!! Don't let their record fool you, the issue isn't offensive production. The Wizards are first in the NBA in field goals made (45.5),attempted (95.0), assist ( 28.3), and second in points (119.7) as well as field goal percentage (47.9) per game. Washington also ranks fourth in free throw shooting percentage, knocking down 81 percent. Led by Brad Beal's 30.3 points a game, which has him second in the NBA entering tonight's contest against Charlotte, the Wizards bring a balanced attack having six players averaging double digits in scoring. Look for Washington to put the scoreboard to work against one of the NBA's worst defensive teams in the Hornets.
Who Will Defend?: that may raise some eyebrows, but it's a legit question for two of the worst defensive teams in the league. Washington ranks dead last in points allowed, giving up 121.1 points per game, allowing opponents to shoot 48 percent from the field and 37 percent from deep. Hard to pull out wins with that lack of resistance.
Charlotte is a little better on defense, but not by much. They allow 112.8 points per game, which ranks 20th in the league, yet, the Hornets are allowing 48.7 percent shooting from opponents (30th in NBA) and 36 percent shooting from 3-point range (21st in the NBA). The team that decides to take it personal and get after defensively should walk off the court with a win. Which team will take it personal on that end? Remains to be seen.
