Wizards 15-13 vs Kings 11-17
When: Wednesday, Dec 15th, at 10p.m.
Where: Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA
TV: NBCS Washington,NBC Sports California
Radio: The Team 980, WFED 1500 AM/ KHTK Sports 1140 AM
Injury
Wizards: Thomas Bryant (Out, Left ACL), Rui Hachimura ( Out, Personal)
Kings: Marvin Bagley (Out, Health and Safety Protocols), Richaun Holmes (Doubtful, Eye)
Keep an eye on:
Defending Without Fouling: has been an issue for Washington all season and one that could make tonight's match-up with the Kings more interesting then it should be if not corrected. Washington in their previous game, a loss to the Denver Nuggets, saw the Nuggets attempt 33 free throws. Nikola Jokic alone attempted 11 free throws and he was ejected early in the fourth quarter. Sacramento ranks 11th in the league in free throw attempts, averaging 22 per game, with point guard De'Aaron Fox leading the team at 7.2 attempts per game which has him tied for fourth most by a single player with Kevin Durant currently. A team that has struggled like the Kings are looking for easy ways to put points on the board and the free throw line may just be what the doctor ordered.
Find Their Shooters: is key to defeating the Kings. They have multiple players that are marksman from deep. Buddy Hield is the most decorated of the bunch, shooting 39 percent from deep this season while Tyrese Haliburton leads the team shooting a little better from deep at just under 41 percent. Delon Wright is knocking down 39 percent as well from 3-point territory while Harrison Barnes and Terence Davis hit 39 and 37 percent from 3-point range respectively. Bottom Line, they're capable of getting hot from deep and making it a game. Washington need to be aware of who's on the floor and run them off the 3-point line and make them look to score from midrange where they aren't so efficient scoring the ball.
Wizards Starting Backcourt: THEY NEED TO STEP UP...PERIOD!