(Photo: Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Regular Season Game 6
Wizards (3-2) at Kings (1-4)
October 29, 2017 at 6 PM Golden 1 Center | Sacramento, CA TV: NBCSN Radio: 1500 AM
What to Watch: Not Playing Down To Competition
One of the biggest and reoccurring faults of the Wizards in the past few years has been their tendency to play down to their opponents level instead of easily cruising to victory against lottery bound teams. John Wall and Bradley Beal have admitted as much before including after Wednesday night's loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. Washington, on paper, should have an easy victory against Sacramento on Sunday night, but they still have to play the game.
Key Matchup:
John Wall vs. De'Aaron Fox
With George Hill getting the night off, the rookie will get his first career start against one of his mentors and frequent player comparison. The two Kentucky point guard products will be running around after each other all game long, but Wall will not be taking it easy on his Big Blue Nation brother. I expect Wall to try and post-up Fox multiple times during the game as the latter still has to work his way up to an NBA-level body.
X-Factor:
Suspensions?
Bradley Beal and/or Kelly Oubre Jr. could be suspended for Sunday's game against the Kings because of their actions in the fight with Draymond Green and the Warriors on Friday. Markieff Morris and Carrick Felix will almost certainly be suspended one-game for coming off of the bench. The latter is pretty much inconsequential as the 15th man on the roster, but Morris may be forced to serve his only after regaining his health from sports hernia surgery. Morris would then only be able to serve his game suspension once passing a physical from an independent league physician. Washington can still parlay that by getting Morris to serve the suspension, while he works back into NBA endurance shape.
Fun Factor:
Reunion With Temp
The veteran guard played four seasons with Washington from 2012 to 2016 where he gained a reputation as a leader and strong defender. He helped mentor the likes of Wall and Beal, while being part of the culture change, which is DNA is still left behind in the Wizards locker room.
Prediction:
No contest. Scott Brooks and John Wall are not going to allow their team to drop a third straight game. It's just not happening.