Washington Wizards Continue Losing Skid
The Washington Wizards continue to struggle winning games during the start of the new year.
The Washington Wizards are starting to see their ladder to get atop the Eastern Conference get higher and higher. Friday night’s loss was their fifth out of six games at the Verizon Center.
Their biggest matchup problem was with DeMar DeRozan, who scored 35 points for the Toronto Raptors. His performance was just another in his latest group of games against Washington this season. DeRozan also scored 34 points the last time these teams met in the Air Canada Centre.
Otto Porter chipped with an efficient 16 points, to no avail. John Wall‘s efforts weren’t enough as he contributed 21 points and only four assists. In addition, he shot only 8-of-20 from the field with seven turnovers. Bradley Beal was out again recovering from his left wrist injury. Shooting 39.3 percent from the field also didn’t help their chances for obtaining a victory either.
Toronto is now up 3-0 in the season series, making a statement this year after getting swept by Washington in the playoffs last season. It would seem Washington is a state of peril as they try to find a groove being fours games under .500.
According to NBA.com, Washington is 24th in opponents points per game and are only scoring 95.3 points and shooting 43.4 percent form the field during the month of January. Their record at home is even worse than their road record with a mark of 8-11.
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The Washington Wizards must be able to take advantage of the opportunities home-court brings a team and show opponents that they are a force to be reckoned with when they come to D.C.
To turn their slump around, Washington must get easy points in the fast break and limit their turnovers. Guys such as Kelly Oubre and Porter must continue to step up and complement Wall on the offensive end in Beal’s absence. And big men Marcin Gortat and Nene must try to find their touch and be a force on the defensive end.
Up next is a Orlando Magic team that has seemed to have found its stride with a win over the Nets. The Washington Wizards must now try to trend upward with next two games on the road. A team like Orlando will a great to way to try to find their rhythm again and guide them from this slump.
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A sense of urgency must be made and setting a tone from start to finish will be crucial during the game. The Wizards need to hurry up and get back on track as the road to the playoffs starts to get tougher in the Eastern Conference.