(Photo: Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
Regular Season Game 14
Heat (6-8) at Wizards (9-5)
November 17, 2017 at 7:00 PM Capital One Arena | Washington, D.C. TV: NBCSW Radio: 1500 AM
Odds: WSH -4.5
What to Watch: The Continuation of John Wall’s Greatness
Like what we all saw last time in Miami, there is a reason why John Wall is one of the best point guards in the Eastern Conference and quite possible in the NBA. With moves against Hassan Whiteside and Tyler Johnson, Wall continues to cause havoc during this four-game winning streak. His +18 against Miami shows how much of a difference he makes when he is on the court. Look for Wall to continue his impressive performance and extend the Wizards’ winning streak before their road trip.
Key Matchup:
Hassan Whiteside vs. Marcin Gortat/Ian Mahinmi
Hassan Whiteside has been a rebounding machine, grabbing 21 rebounds compared to Gortat and Mahinmi’s combined effort of 7 rebounds. As dominant as Whiteside is on the boards, 17 of the 21 rebounds were on the defensive end, meaning that both Gortat and Mahinmi were able to clear out and have other teammates such as Bradley Beal and Otto Porter Jr. grab rebounds following Miami misses. Look for the Wizards to be able to continue to limit Whiteside’s offensive rebounding and focus more on team rebounding altogether.
X-Factor:
Markieff Morris and Kelly Oubre Jr.
Morris and Oubre were both +10 when on the court for the Wizards on Wednesday. Not only do they provide length and rebounding, but they also provide help on the offensive end where Morris finished with 15 points and Oubre with 7. Look for both players to continue to feed off of Wall, Beal, and Porter’s performances as well as providing toughness and rebounding for the Wizards.
Fun Factor:
The Battle of the Kelly’s Part 2?
With Kelly Olynyk coming back to D.C. after shattering Wizards’ fans hearts last season, I expect some boo’s here and there, but the real is question is whether there will potentially be another tussle with the other Kelly in Kelly Oubre Jr. Probably not, but one can dream – but at the same time, I would like to have Oubre Jr. keep calm instead of going Super Saiyan mode.
Prediction:
This is Miami’s first game home since November 1st. After going 3-3 on their recent road trip, look for the Heat to come out highly energized on their home court. This will be a physical game that will go back in forth. Look for Washington’s impressive defense which has held its last three opponents under 100 points to play a major factor in this game especially late in the fourth quarter. Wizards win in a close one.The Wizards come back to play the same team that they are playing two nights ago at home before their three-game road trip. Look for the Wizards to get their fifth win in a row against the Heat with Wall and Beal leading the charge.