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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1. Team rebounding and defense needs to improve drastically

The Wizards took a concerted effort to play together on the defensive end against the Knicks and it showed as they didn’t allow New York to score 100 points. They went back to their old ways though against the Mavericks on Tuesday night.

From a plus/minus standpoint, all five starters and Kelly Oubre Jr. finished with negative scores. In their victory against the Knicks back on Sunday night, Wall turned in a +24 performance with five steals. Howard was +27 with just 10 points and 10 rebounds. Most of it starts from behind the arc.

On Tuesday night, they allowed Dallas to sink 15 3-pointers. The Knicks made just 5-of-27 (18.5 percent) in the Wizards’ second victory of the year. On the season, opponents are making 12.6 3-pointers per contest against Washington, tied for third-most in the NBA. Then, there are the rebounding woes.

Washington is allowing 11.8 offensive rebounds through 10 games so far, ranking 29th in the league. Markieff Morris, Porter and Oubre will need to make concerted efforts to finish out defensive possessions, and that means crashing the boards more. Dallas out-rebounded Washington 49-33 on Tuesday night, with Morris finishing with just one rebound. Oubre had two.

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The Wizards still haven’t out-rebounded their opponent in a game this season. As a team, they allow a league-high 51.1 rebounds per game. Washington and the Minnesota Timberwolves are the only teams allowing over 50 rebounds per contest in 2018-19. It’s something they have to improve upon collectively given their lack of size in the frontcourt.

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