The Wizards (6-27) face the Houston Rockets (23-12) at Capital One Arena before heading to Philly to face the struggling Sixers. They face the second-best team in the Western Conference, and while the Rockets are the favorites, any team can win on any given night. I have three keys to victory if the Wizards want a chance at getting a win before heading up I-95.
Three keys to victory
#1 - Work inside out
The Rockets are not only 3rd in points allowed (106.7), they are 1st in rebounding (48.9) and 10th in blocks (5.4). The Wizards should attack the paint which will open up two things, shooters on the outside and the opportunity to get Sengun in foul trouble and try to take him out of the game. Jordan Poole and Bub Carrington are questionable so if they’re not ready to roll, look for Kyle Kuzma to be aggressive early and for Brogdon and Valancinuas to pick and pop/pick and roll the Rockets to sleep.
#2 - Execute and prevent the three-point shot
The Wizards have struggled to not only defend the perimeter, but they have also been very inconsistent in being consistent threats on the three-point line. This is the game where I’d like to see Corey Kispert and Kyshawn George have good games and eat from three. Preventing players like Jalen Green from dominating from three should be the priority.
#3 - Culture
The culture that Head Coach Brian Keefe has established is playing hard, playing to win. Like most nights, the matchup vs the Rockets comes with a massive talent gap but there are dawgs on this team and if the Wizards want to live and play by their mantra, they will have to play hard and try to win against teams like the Rockets. The mentality is half the battle.
Tune in to Locked On Wizards at 9:30 to watch/listen to me recap the Wizards vs Rockets recap.
