The Wizards (6-32) host the Phoenix Suns (19-20) before heading west. While both teams had different objectives and goals this season, both find themselves on the outside looking in regarding the playoff/play-in picture. The Wizards are supposed to be bad but the Suns were expected to be a little more competitive, led by their Big 3 of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal. It hasn’t quite worked out and now trade rumors surround them. Bradley Beal is rumored to be on the trade block and another player who is being shopped named Jimmy Butler has made it known that the Suns is his preferred landing spot. The question is, will Beal waive his No-Trade clause? Maybe, but that is no longer the Wizard’s problem. Let’s get into my three keys to victory.
Three keys to victory
#1 - Transition and perimeter defense
The Suns are the 14th-best scoring team in the NBA and feature a three-headed scoring monster in Durant, Booker, and Beal. Not only that, they have two guards in Tyus Jones and Monte Morris who are two of the best guards in the NBA in the last 3 seasons when it comes to turnover-to-assist ratio. They have effective distributors who have the scoring to humble the Wizards, how can the Wizards counteract this? Getting down the court, setting up the defense, making faster switches off defenders, and challenging shooters on the perimeter.
#2 - Win the boards
Surprisingly, the Wizards are a better rebounding team than the Suns, averaging 44 per game. With Nurkic out, there is a chance that Sarr and Valanciunas can have a big game in the paint. Now the Suns just acquired Nick Richards from the Charlotte Hornets but I still think this is a good match for the Wizards.
#3 - Causing TO’s
The Suns are an efficient team on offense and are the 10th-best team in the NBA when it comes to protecting the ball. By practicing better transition and perimeter defense and getting into passing lanes, the Wizards have a chance. One more thing needs to happen. They need to become more aggressive on defense. Look for Bilal Coulibaly to have his hands full tonight but it’s all good, we know B-Coul can handle himself.
I will be covering the game tonight so following the game, I’ll be going live from Capital One Arena. Join me at 9:30 PM.
