Regular Season Game 23
Wizards (12-10) at Jazz (12-11)
December 4, 2017 at 9:00 PM Vivint Smart House Arena | Salt Lake City, UT TV: NBCSW+ Radio: 1500 AM
What to Watch: Starting The Road Trip Right
Washington embarks on a five-game road trip, which is the Wizards’ first of two five-game road trips this season with the second taking place from 1/17-1/27. That coupled with the Jazz game being the first of a back-to-back makes it imperative for the Wizards to leave Utah with a victory. With the Jazz still feeling their way through the season between the loss of Gordon Hayward, new pieces and injuries, the Wizards need to try and assert their dominance of consistency despite not having John Wall.
Key Matchup:
Bradley Beal vs. Donovan Mitchell
Coming into Monday's game, Mitchell is coming off of a 41-point performance that is catching the attention of national media in the Rookie of the Year race. The former Louisville guard is averaging 16.4 points on 40.2 percent shooting to go along with 3.3 assists and 3.1 rebounds in 29 minutes of play through the quarter point of the season. Beal will likely draw the defensive matchup for much of the game and may have to play with a pair of protective tinted goggles that he quickly ditched in Friday's game against Detroit.
X-Factor:
Does Rudy Gobert Make His Return?
After playing in 12 games this season, Gobert was expected to miss four-to-six weeks of action after suffering a bone bruise in his right knee less than a month ago. Ahead of schedule, Gobert participated in a light practice on Sunday and is listed as questionable to play against Washington. An All-Star level talent, Gobert averaged 14 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game last year. If he is able to return and is not limited, Washington will have their hands full against the athletic big.
Fun Factor:
Streak Stopping
The Jazz are coming in with a five-game winning streak and the Wizards will see if they can end that fun as they did to the Pistons who were on a three-game winning streak before they visited D.C.
Prediction:
Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell are going to have big games on their way to handing the Wizards a loss.