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Feb 13, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
The Washington Wizards are third in the East and surging at the right time. Here are three reasons they can earn the top seed in the Eastern Conference Playoffs.
The Washington Wizards are 34-21 entering the All-Star break. They have won 15 of their last 17 games, losing just once in the month of February so far.
With a huge matchup coming up Feb. 28 against the Golden State Warriors, the young Wizards are in prime position to show they’re a title contender in the NBA.
The Wizards are riding a four-game winning streak into the latter part of February. Not bad considering where most predicted them to be at this point of the season. One thing they have done well is protect home court.
At one point, the Wizards won 17 straight home games before falling to the Cleveland Cavaliers 140-135 in overtime on Feb. 6. They are 24-7 at home this season, so gaining the top seed could pay dividends for them in the long run.
The starting lineup is one of the best in the NBA, as is the backcourt of point man John Wall and sharpshooter Bradley Beal. Wall is an All-Star for the fourth time this season, but Beal just missed the cut after finishing 10th overall in voting.
With Beal as the main scoring option in the previous two months, Wall is averaging 11.8 assists per game this season. Beal is averaging a career-high 23.1 points per game in return.
The two young guards have the Wizards peaking at the right time. At third in the Eastern Conference, they trail Cleveland by five games for the top spot. The Boston Celtics and Isaiah Thomas stand in the Wizards’ way as well at two games ahead.
But with the last few months the Wizards have been having, there’s no reason to believe they can’t finish with the top spot after the All-Star Break. Here are three reasons the Wizards be the No. 1 seed.
Feb 10, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
3. The Wizards’ Good Health
The Cleveland Cavaliers got bad news a few days ago when they were told forward Kevin Love will miss six weeks following surgery on his knee. He played three games with the knee injury, but was unable to play through it.
The 28-year-old power forward underwent arthroscopic knee surgery on Valentine’s Day and is expected to miss significant time.
This bodes well for a team like the Washington Wizards for a number of reasons. First, Love was a thorn in the Wizards’ side on Feb. 6 when he scored 39 points on six three-pointers with 12 rebounds, three steals and three assists in the Cavaliers’ overtime victory.
With him sidelined, it gives Washington some time to figure things out on the defensive side of things.
The Washington Wizards are also working newly signed center Ian Mahinmi back from injury as well. He’s played in four games, so far averaging 13.3 minutes per game.
Mahinmi is known for his defensive presence and rebounding at the forward and center position, something the Wizards had a hard time guarding with Love on the floor. Getting time to work Mahinmi in the rotation at full strength could bode well for a Wizards playoff push.
The Wizards have an interesting case on their hands as the trade deadline approaches on Feb. 23. Do they find a role for Mahinmi off the bench or trade him for a better reserve asset?
Feb 6, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
2. Frontcourt Production Will Remain Efficient
With forward Otto Porter Jr., center Marcin Gortat and stretch-4 Markieff Morris in the starting lineup, the Washington Wizards haven’t had to fret about much. All three Wizards have managed to average double figures, along with the rest of the starting lineup.
Gortat is averaging a double-double this season–11.9 points, 11.4 rebounds–and also 1.6 assists and 1.2 blocks per game. He has 31 double-doubles through 55 games for Washington.
The 32-year-old Polish center is shooting 59.8 percent from the floor while grabbing 3.2 offensive rebounds per game this season.
Morris is averaging 14.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.2 assists per contest. Over the last 15 games, Morris is shooting 42.4 percent from three-point land while averaging 19.1 points and 8.3 rebounds, well above his season average.
He scored 21 points and grabbed seven rebounds in the Wizards’ 111-98 win over the Indiana Pacers on Feb. 16. Morris shot 3-for-4 from three and an efficient 8-for-12 from the field.
Then there’s Porter. Despite being snubbed from the three-point shootout, Porter continues to shine for the Wizards as well. He made 6-of-10 three-pointers in the team’s win over the Pacers, finishing with 25 points and eight rebounds.
He is shooting a league-best 46.5 percent from three, while averaging a career-high 14.6 points per game. In a contract season, it doesn’t look like Porter will be slowing down anytime soon.
Look for this trio to make more strides after the All-Star break. The Wizards need just 16 wins for their first 50-win season since 1978-79.
Feb 13, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) and guard Bradley Beal (3) high five during the first quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
1. John Wall Will Take Bradley Beal To All-Star Status
John Wall is a four-time All-Star, but his play has taken the Washington Wizards to the next level. With head coach Scott Brooks at the helm, Wall has ultimately conceded the bulk of the scoring to his counterpart Bradley Beal.
Both players are still averaging just more than 22 points per game a piece. Wall is averaging 22.8 points, 10.6 assists, 4.4 rebounds and 2.1 steals per game as the Wizards’ unsung leader this season.
Beal is averaging a career-high 22.2 points and 3.7 assists per game. He is shooting 47.4 percent from the floor and 40.2 percent from three. He is ninth in three-point field goals made in the league with 148.
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Despite not making the All-Star Game this season, Beal’s play has still been superb.
Against the Cavaliers back on Feb. 6, he scored 41 points while dishing out eight assists and grabbing five rebounds. He took a season-high 28 shots, but still was 57.1 percent (16-for-28) from the floor in the game.
It was his third 40-point game of the season and fourth game with six made threes.
Beal’s elevated play is largely due to Wall’s ability to penetrate and kick, drawing in defense before finding a wide-open teammate for a three. The Washington Wizards are currently averaging 11.6 three-pointers per game in the month of February.
Also up in February: Wall’s assists, which are at 12.6 a contest.
The Washington Wizards are peaking at the right time and its largely due to unselfish team play. With roughly a week off before facing the Philadelphia 76ers on Feb. 24, look for them to turn a corner after the All-Star break.
