NBA Power Rankings week 12: injury fallout, OKC Thunder highs and lows
142. . 13-26. Previous: 27th. Washington Wizards. 25. team
Washington Wizards:
Offense: (110.7) 9th
Defense: (115.4) 30th
Net: (minus -4.7) 25th
Games Week 12 (2-2): Won vs. Celtics: 99-94, Hawks: 111-101, Lost vs. Magic: 89-123, Jazz: 116-127
Games Week 13 (2 games): Weds at Bulls | Fri at Raptors
Another week with copious core talents out injured and yet another victory over an elite team (Celtics) who not only have the defense to stop the Wizards but presumably also have the knowledge you can’t get into an end of game situation with the Wizards or you risk losing as they’ll just fire away.
Beating the Hawks isn’t as newsworthy but it does speak to the fact this Wizards crew can put up points no matter who is playing.
However, just as likely as the Wizards are to hang with teams and beat you at the buzzer they are equally as likely to take a double-digit lead and then disappear in the second half. That’s what happened Sunday versus the Jazz when the Wizards held an 11 point lead but coughed it up allowing the Jazz to score 72 points in the second half (to their 50) for an easy victory.
The moral of the story is you never know what you’ll get from the Wizards but teams can’t afford to take chances with them either.
After missing five games Bradley Beal returned to the lineup posting 25 points although he shot 0 of 7 from deep.