Regular Season Game 59
Hornets (25-33) at Wizards (34-24)
February 23, 2018 at 7:00 PM Capital One Arena | Washington, D.C.
TV: NBCSW
Radio: 1500 AM
Odds: WSH -3.5
(Photo: Brock Williams-Smith via Getty Images)
What to Watch:
Revenge
The Washington Wizards and Charlotte Hornets face off in the Nation's Capital as the Wizards will look for revenge after an embarrassing blowout loss in January, falling to the Hornets 133-109 in Charlotte.
The Wizards are currently comfortably the 4th seed in the Eastern Conference while the Hornets are 5.5 games behind the 8th seed. Washington will try to make a statement during the start of the second half of the season and establish themselves as a strong contender against Cleveland, Boston, and Toronto.
Key Matchup:
Kemba Walker vs. Bradley Beal
Coming off of All-Star appearances this year, both Bradley Beal and Kemba Walker will look to continue to become main contributors for their respective teams. Walker, who has been a name that was thrown around during the trade deadline, will be able to finish the season with the Hornets and increase his value as he becomes a free agent after the 2018-2019 season.
Look for Bradley Beal to come off fresh from his first All-Star appearance and continue to guide the Wizards until John Wall comes back.
(Photo: Kent Smith via Getty Images)
X-Factor:
Tomas Satoransky
With John Wall still sidelined with an injury, Tomas Satoransky has been solid and continues to perform at a high level. The Wizards are 8-2 in the last 10 games without Wall as Bradley Beal and Otto Porter Jr. continue to step up their performances each game. Satoransky does not have to put up star numbers, but look for him to continue to provide solid minutes and contribute as an important role player for the Wizards.
Fun Factor:
Only Some Eat
This will be the first home game that the Wizards will have since February 8. The Wizards are 17-10 at home this season and will look to improve that record against the Hornets, who will most likely not be a part of the playoff race, and have just two main players in Dwight Howard and Kemba Walker leading all of their major statistics.
Prediction:
Look for the Wizards to win their first home game back from the All-Star Break against the Hornets and continue to push forward in the second half of the season.