Hornets (36-41) vs. Wizards (46-31)
April 4, 2017 at 7:00 PM Verizon Center | Washington, DC TV: CSN Mid-Atlantic Radio: 1500 AM
Last time they met was..
March 18, 2017 - Verizon Center, DC: Hornets 98, Wizards 93
What to watch:
Time to stop the griping and start WINNING (again).
After a positive start to this past road trip - like, a REALLY positive one - the Wizards have endured some tough times this past week. That's probably why all this is so much more disgruntling, for everyone. They crushed Cavs in Cleveland to open up their 5-game road trip, then struggled to beat the Lakers, then went on to drop their next three against the Clips, Jazz and Warriors. What's reduced the Wizards to further embarrassment is these post-game sound bites where they're heard fussing about either bad officiating, or the so-called disrespect of the Warriors triple-double hunting and 3-point launching while up 20+ late in the 4th quarter. A few hot takes here: the Warriors are some suckers for running up the score. JaVale McGee is a sucker for attempting that late 3-point shot. And Brandon Jennings, well, we all know what Jennings is here for. But a hotter take is this: some of the Wizards players just need to simmer down with their post-game 'whinery' because it's becoming a sore look (just sift through our bombarded mentions after the Jazz and GSW game).
Watch Bradley Beal's reaction to Golden State running up the score. The drama that's spilling out of the Wizards locker room may pave the way for teams to continue to punk them, and I'm pretty certain that teams like the Celtics and Raptors - die-hard conference foes who may end up seeing the Wizards in the playoffs - are taking note - and perhaps getting a laugh out of it as well.
I'm not so worried about the Wizards reaching the milestone of 50 wins as I am about HOW they do or don't reach 50 wins. With just five games left, and the final push for playoff positioning, their concerns might be a little misplaced with all the outside noise. The 8-seed hunting Hornets are a solid litmus test for the Wizards tonight, and a good opportunity for them to reverse away from the horror of the last three games. Time to regroup, retool, and reroute themselves in a positive direction.
Key Matchup:
The Wizards' lethargy vs. Charlotte's momentum.
The Wizards are reeling. They're coming off an unsparing road trip, they're losers of three straight, and they're pissed off at their opponents and the officials. Things have undoubtedly gotten ugly, and they could get uglier tonight against a Charlotte team in the midst of a strong playoff push. Oh, and that Charlotte team - they've been streaking. They're winners of three straight, including big wins over Toronto and most recently Oklahoma City. They've won 7 of their last 9, including a 98-93 win over Washington a few weeks ago. Killa Kemba Walker has been fantastic, especially in regard to shooting from long range (42% from 3 over his last six games). Their bench, led by Frank Kamisnky and Marco Belinelli, has also been awfully productive.
Can the Wizards break out of their lethargy and, in doing so, break the Hornets' momentum?
X-Factor:
Defending the arc.
One huge factor in the Hornets' recent surge is their unrelenting downpour of 3-pointers:
vs. OKC: 11/30 vs. Denver: 17/36
vs. Toronto: 16/32
That's 44 made 3's over the last 3 games.
And so how have the Wizards fared against the 3? Ha. You knew this was coming. Not too well:
vs. GSW: 16/36
vs. Utah: 10/25
vs. Clippers: 12/30
That's 38 made 3's allowed over the last 3 games.
The Wizards' work is cut out for them around the perimeter. Defending the 3 could defend them from their 4th straight loss.
Fun Factor:
Home sweet home!
It's been 11 days since the Wizards played in the arena where they've won 24 of their last 28 in. Welcome back, kids.
