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Washington Wizards: 3 takeaways from 2018-19 season opener

By Jerran Anderson

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 18: Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat and John Wall #2 of the Washington Wizards look on during the game on October 18, 2018 at the Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 18: Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat and John Wall #2 of the Washington Wizards look on during the game on October 18, 2018 at the Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Photo by Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images
Photo by Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images /

1. Rebounding might be a chore for this team

The Wizards’ frontcourt was in foul trouble for much of the game. Ian Mahinmi picked up his fourth foul in the third quarter and didn’t return after that, playing in just 11 total minutes in the game. With no Howard due to injury, foul trouble will be one big thing to avoid or it could open up the floodgates.

Even so, the Wizards were out-rebounded 55-40, with 22 of those coming on the offensive end for the Heat. Washington relied heavily on its smaller forwards to control the glass in the second half and it failed. The Heat had 27 second chance points in the game, offsetting the Wizards’ 52-46 advantage in points in the paint.

Washington’s rebounding woes showed on the final play of the game when Kelly Olynyk skied in for the team’s 22nd offensive rebound of the contest and game-winning put-back with 0.2 seconds left in the game.

Howard missing in the rotation certainly has left them with some holes to fill, but they’ve got players to fill in the blanks. Morris, Green, Mahinmi and Jason Smith are guys who will need to step up and fill the void. They’ll need to push Markieff Morris to bang down low a little bit.

Next. 2018-19 NBA season previews, predictions and more. dark

Morris finished with just five rebounds in the game. Smith did well but he ended up with four fouls as well, making him useless in Scott Brooks’ rotation. Green finished the game with just four rebounds. He’s one guy who could see himself used more, but he’ll also need to show his worth on the glass to earn more playing time.

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