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Wolves at Wizards
6:00 pm CST
FS North
The Wolves face a hot Wizards team that is off to a great start this year, sitting 2nd in the Eastern Conference at 17-6.
The Wizards, coached by everyone's favorite ex-Wolves head man Randy Wittman, have been excellent defensively this year, mostly because of the ability of John Wall to disrupt opposing offenses, and their team-wide efforts to keep opponents away from the rim. They give up the third fewest attempts within 3 feet in the league.
Wall has been fantastic this season, averaging over 10 assists a game to go with his 17.7 points, and he's really the engine of the team. He drives everything at both ends of the floor for the Wizards, and is absolutely coming into his own as a superstar.
Bradley Beal, who missed the start of the season with injury, has come back to provide a three point threat for the Wizards, something they have been missing as they are 27th in the league in 3PA. Beal has been lights out so far from beyond the arc at over 48%. That isn't sustainable, but he is a very good shooter who can stretch the defense.
Marcin Gortat seems to have found a home in Washington, and he has been terrific in the paint, while Paul Pierce has added some veteran gravitas during a strong start to his season with the Wizards. Overall, while they perhaps lack the depth and even star power of the absolute best the league has to offer, the Wizards are a force in the Eastern Conference, and will be a rough match up for the injury ravaged and young Wolves.
In particular, Zach LaVine facing off against the disruptive force that is John Wall is going to be difficult. The Wolves struggle so much to get into any sort of quality half-court offense, and it's likely going to be even more difficult this evening.
And to think, it was just a couple of years ago that the Wizards were co-tenants with the Wolves in the NBA cellar. The Wolves hired the guy who was in charge in Washington back then, and tonight Flip (and Ryan) Saunders make their not-so-triumphant return to the nation's capital.
Expected lineups
Wizards
John Wall
Bradley Beal
Paul Pierce
Kris Humphries
Marcin Gortat
Wolves
Zach LaVine
Corey Brewer
Andrew Wiggins
Thaddeus Young
Gorgui Dieng
This is a link to your blogging buddies over at Bullets Forever. Be excellent.
No no and no.
Enjoy the game. Chat here. Go Wolves.