Regular Season Game 33
Magic (11-22) at Wizards (17-15)
December 23, 2017 at 7:00 PM Capital One Arena | Washington, DC
TV: NBCSW+ Radio: 1500 AM
Odds: WSH -11.5
What to Watch: The Wizards try not to get blown out..and try not to lose to another trash team
(Photo: Associated Press)
The Wizards certainly have not lived up to expectations so far this season to say the least. A team touted as a top 2-3 contender in the East currently find themselves stuck in a mosh pit between the 4th and 10th seeds, just one game out of 4th but just 2.5 games from dropping to 11th. Moreover, their 6.5 games behind the 3-seed Raptors. No bueno.
Besides the subpar start, after last night the Wizards have now been blown out for the second time in 3 weeks (previously a 116-69 loss to Utah), and have lost to trash Brooklyn Nets twice in 10 days. NO BUENO.
Key Matchup:
The Wizards vs. their chances of getting blown out
It is seemingly fair to say the Wizards couldn't possibly dumb down to another inferior team, but recent history simply suggests otherwise. The Wizards have so far lost games to the Mavs, Suns, Nets (twice), Hornets, Lakers and Clippers. That's seven losses to teams with a combined record of 80-142 - that's a winning percentage of just .357.
And facing an inferior team also does anything but suggest the Wizards can't get owned. They lost by 14 to the Mavs. They got blown out by 23 after the 1st quarter against the Suns. The debacle in Brooklyn last night, of course. And for the sake of piling on, we can throw the 47-point loss to the 15-18 Jazz in there too.
X-Factor:
The Wizards not getting blown out
"We got our butt's kicked ... myself included. ... We seemed like a step slow all the way around." - Scott Brooks
"That was terrible." - Bradley Beal
Maybe guard the perimeter and don't allow 14 three-pointers.
Maybe show some interest in possessing a basketball away from your opponent and not get outrebounded by 25.
Maybe don't get outscored in the paint by 22.
Fun Factor:
Optimism the Wizards won't get blown out
The Wizards have won 14 of their previous 16 matchups against the Magic, and have swept them 4-0 in three of the last four regular seasons. If there is any optimism that tonight won't be another shit show, this is it.
Prediction:
I'm optimistic. This won't be a blowout.