Regular Season Game 74
Spurs (43-31) at Wizards (40-33)
March 27, 2018 at 7:00 PM Capital One Arena | Washington, D.C.
TV: NBCSW
Radio: 1500 AM
Odds: SAS -1.5
(Photo: Darren Abate via Associated Press)
What to Watch:
Sense of Urgency
Tuesday night the Wizards will look to avoid their first four-game losing streak of the season. The Wizards’ current losing streak began on March 21st in San Antonio, to hands of the same team they will tip off against Tuesday night at Capital One Arena. An important thing to keep an eye on for this second match up in six days against the Spurs is the Wizards’ sense of urgency, which has been a reoccurring theme during their current losing streak.
After a disappointing loss to the now 27-47 New York Knicks Sunday night, All-Star shooting guard Bradley Beal had this to say about his team: “We acted like we didn’t give a damn, honestly. We thought that we could just show up and play because they don’t have anything to play for. We just thought it was going to be a cake walk and they just smacked us in the mouth.”
Key Matchup:
LaMarcus Aldrirdge vs. Wizards’ Frontcourt
The 32-year old six-time All-Star dominated the Wizards’ big men during their first meeting of the season. Aldridge led the Kawhi Leonard-less Spurs to a 98-90 victory against Washington by dropping 27 points and nine rebounds in 31 minutes of play.The Wizards will have to do their best to keep the 6-foot-11, 260 pound Texas Longhorn product from having another big performance Tuesday night. In order to do that the Wizards are going to need a collective effort on the defensive end from their front court.
(Photo: Mark Sobhani)
X-Factor:
Bradley Beal
In 39 minutes of play in Sunday night’s loss against the New York Knicks, Beal went 5-for-17 from the field scoring just 14 points. If the Wizards are going to have any shot at taking down the San Antonio Spurs who have come out victorious in six of their last seven games, they are going to need Beal to bring his A-game.
(Photo: Darren Abate via Associated Press)
Fun Factor:
The Return
John Wall participated in his second contact and full five-on-five practice with the Wizards on Monday. Although there is no official word on his exact return and he will be out on Tuesday, Wall mentioned that he is “feeling great”. This is great news for the Wizards as they look to get Wall back into the lineup before the playoffs begin on April 14.
Prediction:
The Washington Wizards have hit a wall the last three games which has dropped them down to the six-seed in the Eastern Conference playoff standings. Unfortunately, Tuesday night’s game is against a red-hot Spurs team that seems to be in playoff mode due to the current playoff race out West. Look for the Spurs to hand the Wall-less Wizards their eighth loss in 12 games.
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