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Playoff Picture: Washington Wizards

By Luke Duffy

Apr 1, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) looks up at the clock during the third quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at Verizon Center. Washington Wizards defeated Philadelphia 76ers 106-93. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 1, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) looks up at the clock during the third quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at Verizon Center. Washington Wizards defeated Philadelphia 76ers 106-93. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 5, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; (L-R) Washington Wizards forward Paul Pierce, Wizards guard John Wall, and Wizards forward Drew Gooden celebrate on the bench against the Denver Nuggets in the fourth quarter at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 119-89. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; (L-R) Washington Wizards forward Paul Pierce, Wizards guard John Wall, and Wizards forward Drew Gooden celebrate on the bench against the Denver Nuggets in the fourth quarter at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 119-89. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

Why They’ll Win It All

This team holds the fifth-best defensive efficiency in the league (giving up 100.1 points per game). When you look at their team, you quickly realize how hard they are to break down. Nene is a brilliant rim protector, it’s his health that’s the issue. On the court though, he’s a beast. Ditto Gortat, although thankfully for Washington he is nowhere near as injury prone.

So the paint is well covered here.

It’s the depth of tough bodies that also adds to their grittiness. Pierce isn’t the player he once was, but he doesn’t give up on plays. DeJuan Blair, who has only appeared in 28 games this year, is another big body Washington can call upon. Kris Humphries, once the butt of many jokes, has rejuvenated his career with the Wizards.

Drew Gooden, Martell Webster, hardly names to inspire, bring a certain something to this team.

Opponents will struggle to break them down, while Wall and Beal (a sizzling 42 percent three-point shooter) hurt them on the other end. They are a top-10 three point shooting team (36 percent), and take care of the basketball as well as any team in the league (14.4 turnovers per game). Just as well, as this team needs to maximize every one of it’s possessions.

Washington is ninth in rebounds per game as well (44.3) and have a plus-2.8 differential on the boards, good for fourth in the league. Certainly then it appears Washington is near the top of a lot of relevant categories, namely taking care of the basketball and getting their hands on second-chance opportunities. With the veteran Pierce bringing the intangibles, there’s much to like here.

Next: Too Little Talent Outside A Select Few?

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