The injured and struggling Wizards roll into town to take on the injured and struggling Hornets. Which team will out-struggle the other?
The Wizards and Hornets are both facing some of the same issues. Like the Hornets, the Wizards have missed their best guard (Wall) all season. Like the Hornets, the Wizards have been missing their premier big man (Nene) for most of the season. Both teams have a rookie guard who is struggling mightily to hit a shot. (Bradley Beal is shooting 34.9% and 31.9% from the field) Both teams have young clueless forwards trying to figure things out, (Singleton and Jan Vessely for the wizards, Aminu and Henry for the Hornets)
Really, these teams aren’t so different as I’d like them to be. The Wizards are the worst offense in the league, and post the 18th worst defense. The Hornets are the worst defense in the league, and post the 18th worst offense. Both teams are outscored, on average, by 7 points per 100 posessions.
I’d take the Hornets future in a second – and much prefer the injured Hornets to the injured Wizards – but as far as court results this year these teams are as equivalent as you can get. So how do the Hornets avoid a bad loss to a bad team?
Keys to the Game
- Play off the Wizards guards. Crawford, Beal and Shaun Livingston are bad shooters who like to shoot from deep – particularly off the dribble. Not much to fear there.
- Play disciplined defense. The Wizards draw almost no fouls. They finish at a horrible rate around the rim. Only Nene will force the issue – don’t be super-aggressive and give them the chance to get cheap points at the free throw line.
- Pressure the ball. The Wizards are missing Wall and their back-up point AJ Price is out for several weeks. They will not be comfortable. Pressure them full-court a couple times a quarter and see if they’ll cough up a few turnovers and easy points.
Enjoy the game!
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13 responses to “Game On: Wizards @ Hornets”
Davis cleared to play. We got a win!
Monty is going to run a new line-up out there.
My predition: Lopez, Davis, Anderson, Rivers, Vasquez
Did you hear that from a reliable source or are you just gessing?
Just to know 🙂
His guess, and he was close
Vasquez, Rivers, Aminu, Anderson, and Lopez to start tonight.
It could also be:
Lopez, Davis, Anderson, Vasquez, Roberts
I hope it’s Lopez Davis Anderson Roberts and Rivers. Not liking the way Vasquez is playing right now at all.
You are right, but I would like to see what right now Vasquez can do as SG for this team
Monty said Davis coming off the bench tonight but I’m guessing starters minutes? either way get to watch the game tonight and would be very disappointed with a loss, will be nice to see the big oak tree again though, always liked him go pelicans!!
I think this team is totally demoralized. Commentators have done a great job on a young team.
Yep. The internet broke them, and I think it did it on purpose!
What does not kill them will make them stronger…N.O. is in a pretty good position long term if they can just sort out EG somehow.
I know a lot of people are demoralized after this loss, but it could be a blessing in disguise. This draft class is top-heavy, but I consider Noel and Muhammad above the rest. Can you imagine a Davis Anderson Noel frontcourt? And Muhammad would be a huge boost to our backcourt. A top 2 pick would be HUGE for our future. I really like smart, poythress, and mcadoo, but I see Noel and Muhammad as huge contributors on a title team while those 3 seem like solid starters/role players.
Absolutely hate Nerlens Noel’s game, think he’ll never be a good C in the league, no post game, slimer than Davis, seems a worse version of Javale Mcgee… But like a lot Poythress, Mcadoo and especially Muhammad, believe he’ll be a top 3 SG in a few years, if we have the chance to get him in the draft, is a no-brainer to me!
Whatever we do I hope we cut ties with Eric Gordon!!!ASAP