Brandon Scott here, the host of the daily Locked On Wizards podcast, with your daily Locked On Wizards newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Wizards and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
The Wizards host the defending champion Boston Celtics to kick off the weekend.
With a record of 2-11, the Wizards desperately need a victory. It won’t be easy because tonight, they host the Boston Celtics—yes, the defending champion Boston Celtics. While every team is prone to off-shooting nights, it’ll take the presence of a Pastor, a Rabbi, and an Imam to get the young Wiz-Kidz past the Green Machine. One of my biggest issues is that I’m very loyal, so let’s get into my three keys to development.
Three keys to development-
1. Defense Defense and more Defense
The Celtics are second in the NBA in points scored, so the Wizards are going to have to be firm not only in the paint but also on the perimeter. Closing out shooters is a must. One matchup to look for is Bilal vs. Tatum.
2. Ball movement
Spreading the ball around and finding good looks should be the priority if the Wizards want to hang with the Celtics. The C’s are 12th in the NBA in points against.
3. Attack the basket
The Celtics are 19th in the NBA in blocks. Not only should the Wiz attack the lane, but they should bring the Celtics bigs out to the parameter which will open them up for back-door cuts.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
League at Large
Can the Houston Rockets keep this up?
They’ve had close wins, technical wins, nail-biters and blow-outs; they’ve (reportedly) turned down superstars and and currently sit third in the west with a record of 11-5 — In a Western Conference finally coming alive, can the Houston Rockets keep this up?
The Rockets are on pace to tie or surpass the franchise’s win record of 64, set by a team led by James Harden in 2017-2018. It was Harden’s — and all the failed years of being in the running for title contention — ghost that still hung over the franchise as recently as last season, no matter that Harden himself has been part of three different rosters since he sulked his way out of Houston. Everything from the Rockets brand of basketball to the team’s waylaid trajectory back into competition had been set and then upended by him.
It was something of an exorcism then, that Houston handily beat Harden’s current team, the Clippers, in back-to-back games this week.
What feels especially lasting about the winning pace the Rockets have set is that there’s plenty room for the team to improve. Houston’s sitting at 25th overall in field goal percentage, 27th in three-point percentage, and is still claiming the ninth overall offensive ranking in the league. Their starters have all been shooting well below their career bests, and yet, nothing about the Rockets’ wins have looked harried.
For a team that has an average of just four years NBA experience between them, there’s a wealth of patience. When the Rockets have been pressed this season, or teams like the Pacers and Bulls have tried to rush them with pace, they fall back on snapping passes and sinking into ball movement. There are still sequences of ISO ball and flubbed defensive rotations, but Houston has leaned into their transitions as opportunities to reset. No doubt in part to having the always unflappable Fred VanVleet driving this thing, plus the veteran offensive ballasts of Jeff Green and Dillon Brooks.
Preview In a highly anticipated NBA Cup game, the Washington Wizards face the Boston Celtics. Key matchups and strategies will be crucial for both teams in this early-season showdown. (Bullets Forever)
Analysis A deep dive into the statistical performance of the Washington Wizards reveals key areas for improvement and strengths that could influence their season trajectory. (Bullets Forever)
Legacy Will NBA expansion bring the SuperSonics back to Seattle? Find out. (The Athletic)
Biz Amid their early-season tank, the Sixers expected to scour the trade market for power forwards. (Real GM)
Shopping
This Holiday Season, Give the Gift of Sports Mastery
Presented By Dribbleup
Kids can dribble their way to the top of the leaderboard with game-like experience. |Image via Dribbleup
Parents are always looking for gifts their kids will actually use. Dribbleup makes it easy to give a gift that makes practicing fun!
With the Smart Basketball, your child can train anytime, anywhere—guided by dynamic coaching sessions in the Dribbleup app. Dribbleup’s AR technology tracks the ball’s every move, giving real-time feedback.
Watch your child improve with every dribble, all while enjoying a high-tech gift that’s 60% off for the holidays.
Offer ends on 12/23/24. Valid on the purchase of certain products only. Online prices are as marked, reflecting the discount. Membership separate and auto-renews monthly.
Franz Wagner A First Round Fantasy Basketball Player?
Nov 21, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner (22) celebrates with guard Jalen Suggs (4) after defeating the Los Angeles Lakers with a 3-point basket with 2.5 seconds left in the game at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images|Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
The Orlando Magic edged out the LA Lakers with a 119-118 victory. The game was a showcase of talent and strategy, with the Magic overcoming a deficit to secure the win. Franz Wagner was the standout performer, continuing his impressive form with a stellar 37 points, six rebounds, and 11 assists. His all-around game, including four steals and four threes, solidified his status as a top fantasy asset. Wagner’s recent performances have elevated him to first-round value in fantasy leagues, making him a potential sell-high candidate, though his current form might make holding onto him equally appealing.
Dalton Knecht’s Role and Performance
Dalton Knecht played a significant role for the Lakers, logging the most minutes on the team. While his 17 points, four rebounds, and one assist were solid, they highlighted the limitations in his fantasy profile. Knecht’s reliance on scoring and shooting efficiency means that while he’s a valuable asset, his contributions in other categories remain limited. Fantasy managers should monitor his role closely, especially as the Lakers adjust their rotations.
Anthony Black’s Consistency Concerns
Anthony Black’s performance was less consistent, with 4 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists on 25% shooting. While his recent games have shown flashes of potential, this outing underscores the volatility in his production. Fantasy managers who picked up Black for his upside should consider holding him through the Magic’s favourable schedule but remain cautious about his long-term consistency.
