Wizards 17-29 vs Pistons 13-34
When: Thursday, April 1st, at 7p.m.
Where: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, MI
TV: NBCSWA, NBA League Pass / Radio: WFED 1500 AM
Injury
Wizards: Thomas Bryant (Out/ Left ACL Surgery), Ish Smith (Out/ Quad) , Raul Neto ( Day to Day/ Left Rib Contusion), Brad Beal (Day to Day/ Hip), Davis Bertans (Day to Day/ Calf), Daniel Gafford (Out/ Right Ankle Sprain)
Pistons: Sekou Doumbouya (Out/ Migraine), Dennis Smith Jr (Out/Spine), Killian Hayes (Out/Hip), Wayne Ellington (Out/Calf), Jahlil Okafor (Out/ Knee), Rodney McGruder (Out/ Elbow)
Wizards -
114.5 - points per game
120.2 - points against
46.6 - Field Goal %
Pistons -
107.0 - points per game
110.9 - points against
44.4 - Field Goal %
Keep an eye on:
Availability: is a necessity in itself and it's one the Wizards have struggled to maintain throughout this unique season. Six players are either out or questionable to play tonight, three are starters and one of those starters just happen to be the NBA's leading scorer...Brad Beal. Like the saying goes the best ability is availability. If things stay as is, other guys will have to continue to step up. Russell Westbrook and Rui Hachimura have been on a rampage lately. They combined for 52 points, 17 rebounds and 17 assists in Washington's loss to Charlotte on Tuesday. Alex Len, Robin Lopez, Jerome Robinson, Deni Avdija...they all will need to step up their production for the Wizards to get back on the winning track.
Same Fight: that Washington brought against the Hornets is the same fight they will need to once again beat Detroit for the second time in five days and to get back into the playoff mix in the East. Washington despite being undermanned against Charlotte, scored 56 points in the paint and won the rebounding battle 51-50. With 2:51 left in the game, Washington trailed 102-97. They fought against a quality team fighting for playoff positioning, they just have to close. Keep the same energy and fight tonight against Detroit and moving forward and Washington could make things interesting in the Eastern Conference playoff picture.