NBA Power Rankings week 14: OKC Thunder among the ‘road warriors’
![JANUARY 20: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder handles the ball during the game against the Houston Rockets (Photo by Cato Cataldo/NBAE via Getty Images) JANUARY 20: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder handles the ball during the game against the Houston Rockets (Photo by Cato Cataldo/NBAE via Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/cdf5b7ec076202b1f0f4734bdd1ab317ec62ee6108e9da536a200ac2e467cfef.jpg)
15-30. Previous: 26th. Washington Wizards. 25. team. 142.
Washington Wizards:
Offense: (111.0) three-way tie for 10th
Defense: (116.1) 30th
Net: (minus -5.1) 25th
Results Week 14: (2-2): Won vs. Pistons: 106-100, Cavaliers: 124-112, Lost to Heat: 129-134 (OT), Hawks: 133-152
Games Week 15: (3 games) Tues at Bucks | Thurs vs. Hornets | Sat vs. Nets
Miami flirted with disaster getting into an up and down battle against the Wizards and but for 18 Jimmy Butler free throws might’ve ended up on the losing side. After giving up 69 first-half points to the Heat and a 19 point lead the Wizards roared back in the second half scoring 68 points to send the match to overtime.
Another offensive feast for the Wizards and yet another loss. That’s because once the opposition finally exerts a defensive effort the game quickly shifts. Washington has numerous players who can put points on the board as the Miami match demonstrated, but clutch time isn’t their friend as they fell to 1-6 in those situations.
It will be interesting whether Bradley Beal will get the All-Star nod since his efforts and production this season offer reason to consider his inclusion. BUT— do you exclude Kyle Lowry who kept his Raptors in the mix while four core players were out? Or Malcolm Brogdon for his efforts keeping the Pacers relevant awaiting Victor Oladipo‘s return?
We’ll find out Thursday night when TNT Inside the NBA reveals who the reserves will be.