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3 Reasons Washington Wizards Can Claim No. 1 Seed

By Jerran Anderson

Feb 13, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) and guard Bradley Beal (3) high five during the first quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 13, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) and guard Bradley Beal (3) high five during the first quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 6, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards forward Markieff Morris (5) dunks during the second quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 6, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Frontcourt Production Will Remain Efficient

With forward Otto Porter Jr., center Marcin Gortat and stretch-4 Markieff Morris in the starting lineup, the Washington Wizards haven’t had to fret about much. All three Wizards have managed to average double figures, along with the rest of the starting lineup.

Gortat is averaging a double-double this season–11.9 points, 11.4 rebounds–and also 1.6 assists and 1.2 blocks per game. He has 31 double-doubles through 55 games for Washington.

The 32-year-old Polish center is shooting 59.8 percent from the floor while grabbing 3.2 offensive rebounds per game this season.

Morris is averaging 14.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.2 assists per contest. Over the last 15 games, Morris is shooting 42.4 percent from three-point land while averaging 19.1 points and 8.3 rebounds, well above his season average.

He scored 21 points and grabbed seven rebounds in the Wizards’ 111-98 win over the Indiana Pacers  on Feb. 16. Morris shot 3-for-4 from three and an efficient 8-for-12 from the field.

Then there’s Porter. Despite being snubbed from the three-point shootout, Porter continues to shine for the Wizards as well. He made 6-of-10 three-pointers in the team’s win over the Pacers, finishing with 25 points and eight rebounds.

He is shooting a league-best 46.5 percent from three, while averaging a career-high 14.6 points per game. In a contract season, it doesn’t look like Porter will be slowing down anytime soon.

Look for this trio to make more strides after the All-Star break. The Wizards need just 16 wins for their first 50-win season since 1978-79.

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