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.
Can the Wizards sucker punch an under-achieving Sixers team for a win in the city of Brotherly Love?
On to Philadelphia, better known as Philly aka the City of Brotherly Love. Home of the Liberty Bell, the Cheesesteak, and the delicious Pork Tenderloin sandwiched from Dinic’s at the Reading Terminal. Philly is a city of high expectations and they haven’t played up to theirs this season. Injuries to Paul George and Joel Embiid have stunted the growth of a team that many viewed as a contender in the Eastern Conference. While both teams are dealing with injuries, this is definitely a game where the Wizards should take advantage of the Sixers being without two key contributors. Let’s get into my three keys to victory.
Three keys to victory
#1 - Win the paint
The Wizards are 8th in blocks and 15th in rebounds. With Embiid out and Drummond day to day, this is a game where I expect Jonas Valanciunas and Alex Sarr to capitalize and dominate. Sarr should not only spread the floor and hit mid-range and three point looks, he should look to get active in the paint with rebounds and paint points. Look for JV to provide paint points and overall hustle. The wizards have to win the paint.
#2 - Attack the paint to open the three
Jordan Poole is day to day and will be a tip-off call but if he can’t go, look for Kyle Kuzma (if he’s ready to go) and Bilal Coulibaly to be aggressive. Attacking the basket, collapsing the defense, and utilizing shooters like Kispert and George should be the plan. Put pressure on the Sixers to have fast defensive switches.
#3 - Give yourself a chance on perimeter defense
The Wizards have been very bad at defending the perimeter and preventing good looks from three. Two factors can help the Wiz-kidz, closing out shooters and making faster defensive switches. If, and that’s a big if, if they do that, they will have a chance.
Jan 7, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) reacts after a fouled was not called against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second half at Smoothie King Center. | Matthew Hinton/Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images
How can you know in the NBA if something’s real?
If a team really is on a sustainable upward trajectory, or if they’ve overachieved? If a player whose name has become synonymous with trade talks really wants out (or in somewhere else, depending on how you’re looking at it)? How can you tell the difference between talent and development, and when does it start to matter? And how do you know that regular season dominance will translate into postseason competence, let alone contention?
I’ve been thinking about NBA mirages, the things we will ourselves into believing over the course of a season, as a few of the league’s prominent storylines play out. What constitutes an NBA mirage is that it has justenough staying power at a distance, but like the real thing, when you start to interrogate it up close its corporeal outlines vanish.
Trades are a huge generator of NBA mirages. I hate to think how many ESPN’s NBA Trade Machine tool is pumping out per hour as the trade deadline approaches. Jimmy Butler’s request for a trade out of Miami is one of the reasons I started thinking about them, specifically, where they shift from fantasy to reality. The prospect of a trade, for Butler, is as solid as the car he gets in to drive himself to Heat games. For Pat Riley and the Heat’s front office, the trade’s an illusion (delusion, maybe, if you asked Riley). What’s real to them is Butler’s behaviour, which they emphasized by suspending him for seven games.
Does Butler, since then reported to have asked both the Bucks and the Grizzlies not to trade for him, make his potential trade more real by narrowing its scope? Or is he limiting himself and his chances of an exit — any exit — from Miami?
Shifting from trades to returns, Zion Williamson’s back on the floor in New Orleans. Williamson’s dunks, like his first in-game slam last night since early November, have a knack for calling to mind immediately the contours of the earth under your feet. I tend to curl my toes against the ground, checking it’s still there. Why then, does he make me think of mirages? The hope for Williamson, since he entered the league, has been consistency — in his health, his game, his career.
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.
Home and Away
Analysis In the latest analysis, the Washington Wizards demonstrated significant statistical improvements against the Houston Rockets, focusing on their defensive and offensive metrics. (Bullets Forever)
Replay Catch up on the recent game recap between the Washington Wizards and Houston Rockets, highlighting key performances and pivotal moments. (Bullets Forever)
Biz The Washington Wizards need to ensure a solid payoff for the significant investment in Jonas Valančiūnas, examining the financial implications and expected returns. (Wiz of Awes)
Preview As the Wizards host the Rockets, they have a chance to improve their standing in the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes, with a detailed preview of the upcoming game. (Wiz of Awes)
Prediction With the 2024-25 NBA schedule ahead, updated win-loss predictions for the Washington Wizards and other teams provide a forecast for the remaining season. Check out the latest predictions. (Bleacher Report)
Preview The Wizards will face the 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center at 7:00 PM ET. Read the preview.(NBA)
Must Read Amid Pacific wildfires, Steve Kerr and JJ Redick’s families have evacuated the area. (CNN)
Biz What the EuroLeague and IMG’s new deals mean for the future of basketball in Europe. (The Athletic)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Tuesday’s Key Fantasy Basketball Notes
Jan 7, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) signals to his team during the first half against the Charlotte Hornets at the Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images | Sam Sharpe/Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images
Tuesday’s NBA action brought a mix of surprises and disappointments across seven games. The Phoenix Suns, despite their recent lineup changes, continue to underperform, raising questions about their strategy and team dynamics.
The Los Angeles Lakers suffered a significant setback, losing to a depleted Dallas Mavericks team. This loss highlights ongoing concerns about the Lakers’ consistency and ability to compete against even weakened opponents.
In a thrilling finish, Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks showcased his clutch abilities by sinking a half-court shot to secure a victory. Young’s performance was stellar throughout the game, finishing with an impressive 24 points and 20 assists.
Injury Updates and Roster Moves
Several key players were sidelined due to injuries or illness. Jeremy Sochan of the San Antonio Spurs is out with a back issue, potentially impacting his trade value. Jerami Grant’s facial contusion continues to sideline him, opening up opportunities for players like Deni Avdija.
The Philadelphia 76ers are facing challenges with both Joel Embiid and Paul George out, though not due to a back-to-back situation. This absence further complicates the 76ers’ season, which has already been marred by inconsistency.
Ausar Thompson’s absence due to illness raises concerns, especially given his history of health issues. While the exact nature of his current condition remains unclear, fans and fantasy managers alike are hoping it’s not as serious as his previous bout with blood clots.
Waiver Wire Trends
The waiver wire has seen some interesting movement, with Bryce Sensabaugh emerging as the most-added player despite missing a game due to illness. Ryan Dunn and Nikola Jovic have also seen increased interest, though their long-term value remains questionable.
