Preview: Wizards host Spurs in Friday-night matchup in D.C.

The Wizards (32-41) are within the midst of a grueling stretch however wish to get again to successful on Friday night time towards the Spurs (19-54). This is all the things it is advisable to know forward of the matchup within the DMV.

WHERE: Capital One Enviornment (Washington, D.C.)
WHEN: 7:00 p.m. ET
TV: NBCSW
RADIO: The Staff 980 & The Wizards App

WIZARDS:
Bradley Beal (left knee soreness — out)
Kyle Kuzma (proper ankle sprain — out)

SPURS:
Charles Bassey (left patella; non-displaced fracture — out)
Khem Birch (proper knee; chondromalacia — out)
Zach Collins (proper biceps; contusion — questionable)
Devonte’ Graham (proper quad tendon; soreness/damage administration — possible)
Keldon Johnson (neck sprain — possible)
Tre Jones (left foot; soreness/damage administration — possible)
Romeo Langford (left adductor; soreness/damage administration — out)
Doug McDermott (proper hip; contusion/damage administration — possible)
Jeremy Sochan (proper knee; soreness/damage administration — out)
Devin Vassell (left knee; damage administration — questionable)

KRISTAPS PORZINGIS LEADING THE WAY

On Wednesday night time, Kristaps Porzingis got here out of the gates looking for his personal shot with Bradley Beal and Kyle Kuzma sidelined because of accidents. He knew he needed to be the man to cleared the path offensively, and he took that problem head-on, pulling down his first six photographs of the sport. He was attending to his spots within the mid-post, hitting catch-and-shoot jumpers, and dominating from all three ranges of the ground.

The one factor able to stopping Porzingis on Wednesday night time was foul hassle. He picked up two fouls within the first 4 and a half minutes of the sport after which picked up his third foul simply 30 seconds into the second quarter, sidelining him for the remainder of the half. On the break, Porzingis had 15 factors in solely 10 minutes of motion.

On Friday night time towards the Spurs, Porzingis can have the same problem by way of main the way in which offensively with Beal and Kuzma out as soon as once more. And just like the Nuggets, the Spurs can have a troublesome time matching up with him. The secret is for Porzingis to remain out of foul hassle so he can maximize his time on the ground.

The Spurs are a singular staff in terms of factors within the paint. Offensively, they have been nice all season, averaging 55.4 paint factors per sport — good for second within the league. However defensively, they’ve struggled, giving up 56.4 paint factors per sport to opponents — essentially the most within the league by a reasonably large margin.

That is an space of the sport the Wizards ought to have the ability to exploit. With Porzingis and Daniel Gafford beginning alongside each other, they are going to have the ability to defend the paint at a excessive stage whereas ending across the cup on the offensive finish of the ground. However the burden will not simply be on them. The Wizards’ guards and wings must be stingy on the level of assault on protection, and so they’ll should be aggressive in getting two toes within the paint on offense. Search for guys like Monte Morris, Delon Wright, Johnny Davis, and Deni Avdija to assault the rim ferociously.

Talking of Avdija, he is been excellent within the final two video games for the Wizards. On Tuesday night time in Orlando, Avdija scored 15 factors and hauled in 10 boards off the bench. He adopted up that efficiency on Wednesday night time towards the Nuggets with a 16-point, eight-rebound, six-assist outing in a beginning position.

With no Beal or Kuzma, Avdija must look to be further aggressive on offense, particularly in transition. Fortunately, he is confirmed to be able to making an impression in that space. This can be a good alternative for him to proceed to develop his offensive sport.