(Photo: Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Regular Season Game 12
Hawks (2-10) at Wizards (6-5)
November 11, 2017 at 7 PM Capital One Arena | Washington, D.C. TV: NBCSW Radio: 1500 AM
What to Watch: It Should Feel Good To Be At Home
Wins in the NBA are hard to come by whether you are an elite team or not. Each win plays a significant role in a team’s success. In order to establish that mentality, winning at home, where each team is/should be comfortable with is a good start. With losses to the Mavericks and the Suns at home, an elite team that has high expectations like Washington should not let games get away from them. With Tuesday’s win against Los Angeles, I’m looking forward to seeing Washington continue winning at home.
Key Matchup:
Dennis Schröder vs. John Wall
Two of the Eastern Conferences’ most prolific and exciting point guards in Dennis Schröder and John Wall battle for the first time this season. Although John Wall has a better supporting cast, his matchup against Dennis Schröder is a must-see not just because they are their teams’ premier players, but rather they have played each other for a few seasons, which leads to each player knowing their tendencies. I expect big games from both Wall and Schröder along with finding ways to contribute to their team.
X-Factor:
Tim Frazier
Yes, I said it – Tim Frazier. He has been the back-up point guard for Wall. What I like about him is how he is consistently learning each game in regard to how the offense works. If Frazier is able to provide solid minutes off the bench, through his passes and facilitating the offense and by limiting his turnovers, then he can be a key contributor off the bench. After last night’s performance of just doing the right things – 7 points, 5 assists, perfect from the field, Frazier is looking more and more comfortable with his role.
Fun Factor:
D.C. Weather
As strange as it may sound, it would be interesting how players react to the cold. Cold weather usually means that it takes longer for people to warm up and get their bodies rolling. As we expect chilly weather for this game, I’m looking to see how players will be during warm up and in the first quarter, as those two things will decide who will control the tempo of the game.
Prediction:
The Wizards are considered one of the top teams and Atlanta has the worst record in the Eastern Conference. If the Wizards continue to have a swagger and a mentality that will provide excitement and growth at home, they should continue this winning streak against a Dennis Schröder led Hawks team.