Regular Season Game 31
Wizards (16-14) at Pelicans (15-15)
December 19, 2017 at 7:00 PM Capital One Arena | Washington, D.C. TV: NBCSW Radio: 1500 AM
What to Watch: Putting Together A Complete Game
During this home stand, the Wizards have not looked great. They had to will their way to wins over bad teams in Memphis and Los Angeles and then were not able to beat Cleveland despite multiple factors in their favor. More than a third through the season, Washington needs to start stacking together wins if they hope to get a top seed in the Eastern Conference finals as they currently sit at 8th. New Orleans is a team that they should not have to worry about playing down to their level of competition so they have no reason not to put together a game that highlights their ceiling as a team.
Key Matchup:
Marcin Gortat vs. Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins
It is no secret that the Wizards best players come at point guard, shooting guard, and small forward. At power forward and center, they are not as talented, which makes Gortat constantly involved in the key matchup. If he is able to minimize the gap between him and the opposing players, then Washington is usually in a good place. He will have his work cut out for him when doing battle against not one, but two All-Star caliber bigs. "It's going to be a bloodbath," Gortat predicted after Monday's practice.
X-Factor:
Otto Porter Jr.'s Health
Washington was without the services of their max-contract small forward on Sunday against Cleveland and may have to endure without him longer on Tuesday. His bruised right thigh and hip kept him out of Monday's practice and there is considerable concern that he will not be able to play against the Pelicans. With two more off days before playing in Brooklyn on Friday, the Wizards could be cautious and give Porter a full week before trying to return.
Fun Factor:
Boogie2DC Hype
For years, everyone has exaggerated the possibility of John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins, best friends from their one year at Kentucky, reuniting in the NBA. Cousins has one year left on his second contract valued at just over $18 million. I do not believe Cousins will come to close to joining the Wizards this season, but just for kicks, I would pull the trigger if the Pelicans accepted Ian Mahinmi, Tim Frazier, and a first-round pick. New Orleans would be foolish to agree to those terms, in my opinion.
Prediction:
John Wall's minutes restrictions are negligible and he plays like the four-time All-Star that he is because of motivation of going up against two former Kentucky brothers.