Two lottery teams meet Friday night trending in opposite directions. The Sixers franchise features management rumored to be hoping their icon coach quits after this year, an all-star who has played like anything but one 80% of the time during the second half of the season, and a team that has clearly given up over the last week. On the other hand, the future looks bright for the Wizards as the team is actually 24-22 when their star point guard, John Wall, is in the lineup. If not for his knee injury suffered over the summer, the Wizards would likely be a playoff team. Of course, the Sixers could say the same thing regarding Bynum, but Wall is actually part of the Wizards’ foundation going forward.
After an adjustment period coming back from the injury, Wall has been brilliant this season, averaging 22.9 points on 48.1% shooting, 5.0 rebounds, and 7.8 assists over 23 games in March and April. Only LeBron James and Russell Westbrook have averaged at least 22 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists over the course of this season, elite company for John Wall to occupy. Wall has come out and stated his belief that he deserves a max contract and he’s certainly playing like it.
Unfortunately for the Wizards and fans of watching talented young players, Bradley Beal is out for the rest of the season with a stress fracture in his right fibula. He and Wall had really started to develop a good relationship out on the court and it will be exciting to watch that backcourt grow together going forward. Still, the Wizards have other weapons the Sixers will need to account for if they care about winning basketball games anymore. Martell Webster has done a great job providing spacing for this Wizards team, shooting 42.2% from three. In the front court, Brazilian veteran Nene is the hub of the offense when Wall isn’t running the show. Although Nene’s averages of 12.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 2.9 assists don’t jump off the page, he provides a needed calming presence in the half court offense and he and Emaka Okafor do a good job orchestrating the Wizards defense on the back line.
Keys to the Game:
- Win the transition game. Wall loves to use his blazing speed in the open court to get the bulk of his points, as his outside shot is still a work in progress at this point of his career. On the other side of the ball, the Wizards sport the 8th-best defense in the league and it would behoove the Sixers to get some easy buckets on the fast break.
- Pack the paint on defense. Wall’s offensive game springs from his ability blow past his defender and get into the paint. Hopefully, Jrue Holiday rises to the challenge of playing against a rising young star, but if not, his teammates will have to help off their men to prevent Wall from getting to the rim. If he kicks it outside and guys like Cartier Martin or A.J. Price beat them, so be it.
Prediction:
The Wizards are a solid 22-18 at home this season, made even better with Wall’s inclusion in the lineup. The Sixers’ road woes have been well-documented and given their recent play, there’s no reason to believe that trend reverses itself. John Wall goes off for over 30 points against a disinterested Sixers defense as the Wizards win.
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