Washington Wizards: 3 takeaways from the first 10 games

MEMPHIS, TN - OCTOBER 30: Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards looks on during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on October 30, 2018 at FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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2. 3-point shooting is still a weakness

Coming into the season, the Wizards spoke of being an improved 3-point shooting team. So far, that hasn’t been the case. Washington currently ranks 16th in the NBA in 3-pointers made per game (10.6) and 27th in 3-point percentage (31.3 percent). In the loss to Dallas on Tuesday night, Beal, Wall and Oubre combined to shoot 3-for-20 from behind the arc.

The Wizards’ lack of efficiency from 3-point land this season can be mostly attributed to John Wall and Jeff Green both shooting below 30 percent from behind the arc through the first 10 contests. Wall is shooting just 28.6 percent from 3-point land on 4.9 attempts per contest. Green is shooting just 16.7 percent from 3-point range on 2.4 attempts per game.

The attempts are certainly there for the Wizards’ core guys but they need to make good on their shots. Luckily, guys like Otto Porter Jr. have picked up the slack. He had a solid game against the Mavericks on Tuesday night, finishing with 19 points on 5-of-6 shooting from behind the arc despite the loss.

https://twitter.com/NBCSWizards/status/1060009303237672960

Porter is shooting 36.8 percent from 3-point range through the first 10 games and has provided the Wiz with instant offense even on their worst nights. They’ll need to be more in sync from a 3-point shooting standpoint going forward, especially if they want to make the playoffs.

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