Preview: Wizards shoot for a bounce-back win as they host the Pistons in D.C.

After a troublesome six-game stretch, the Wizards (31-37) want to get again to profitable as they host the Pistons (16-53) within the DMV. Can the Wizards proper the ship? This is all the things it is advisable to know.

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

WIZARDS:
Johnny Davis (non-COVID sickness — questionable)
Taj Gibson (non-COVID sickness — questionable)
Kyle Kuzma (proper knee soreness — questionable)

When the Wizards and Pistons performed in Detroit one week in the past, Jaden Ivey was wreaking havoc with the ball in his palms. The rookie level guard has had an up-and-down first NBA season (as most rookies do), however he confirmed main progress in his offensive recreation towards the Wizards.

Ivey was utilizing his pace, ball-handling abilities, and shiftiness to get into the paint and make performs. Whether or not it was kicking it out to open shooters, discovering cutters, or scoring on his personal, Ivey was doing all of it. He scored 26 factors on 9-of-20 taking pictures from the sphere and 3-of-6 taking pictures from deep to associate with 12 assists and 5 boards.

To ensure that the Wizards to come back away with a win in D.C., they’re going to should deliver the power on protection straight away. Look ahead to guys like Delon Wright and Deni Avdija to tackle the problem of guarding Ivey on this rematch.

BRADLEY BEAL CONTROLLING THE GAME

Down the stretch of the Wizards-Pistons recreation on March 7, Ivey and Bradley Beal had been going shot for shot. Nearly as good as Ivey was, Beal was even higher, scoring a game-high 32 factors on an environment friendly 14-of-21 taking pictures from the sphere whereas including seven rebounds and 7 assists.

Beal might be essential as soon as once more for the Wizards. Whether or not he is working out of pick-and-rolls, coming off screens, or pulling his defender into isolation conditions, his offensive creation will change the movement of the sport. His two-man recreation with Kristaps Porzingis could be particularly impactful towards a younger workforce just like the Pistons.

In final week’s matchup, Porzingis scored 24 factors on 8-of-15 taking pictures from the sphere to associate with seven boards and two assists. If he and Beal can proceed to work their two-man recreation, he’ll have an opportunity for an excellent greater night time. The 2-man recreation is hard to defend, even for the league’s most seasoned defenders. For a younger workforce just like the Pistons, it is a almost unattainable process. Look ahead to Beal’s manipulation of the Pistons’ protection for all 4 quarters and the way that performs into the results of the sport.

Corey Kispert is coming off among the finest video games of his younger NBA life, tying his career-high in scoring with 25 factors on 9-of-13 taking pictures from the sphere, 3-of-7 taking pictures from deep, and 4-of-4 taking pictures from the charity stripe. He was doing slightly little bit of all the things on offense towards the Sixers. He hit threes, received to the rim, and even slammed house a few dunks. He was magnificent, and he appears to be getting higher each week.

When the Wizards and Pistons final met up, Kispert was on hearth. He scored 16 factors on 6-of-7 taking pictures from the sphere and 4-of-5 taking pictures from deep. The Pistons had a troublesome time holding him in verify. Coming off of his scorching night time in Philadelphia, he is likely to be in line for an additional massive recreation.