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The Wizards (32-38) are set to play their second game in as many days as they host the Kings (42-27) on Saturday night at Capital One Arena. Can the Wizards beat one of the West’s top teams to make up ground in the Eastern Conference standings? Here’s everything you need to know.
WHERE: Capital One Arena (Washington, D.C.)
WHEN: 8:00 p.m. ET
TV: NBCSW
RADIO: 106.7 The Fan & The Wizards App
KINGS:
Richaun Holmes (non-COVID illness — questionable)
Kevin Huerter (right popliteus strain — questionable)
Trey Lyles (right shoulder soreness — questionable)
The Kings play a simple brand of basketball, but one that is extremely effective. They’re offensive-minded, with their main goal being to put the ball in the basket and outscore their opponents. It’s a strategy that has worked for them because they have the number-one-ranked offense in the league by nearly every metric. They’re first in the league in points per game at 120.9 (the only team to average more than 120), first in offensive rating at 118.5, and first in true shooting percentage at 61.3. They do a wonderful job of putting their foot on the gas right away and never letting up.
The key players in Sacramento’s offense are All-Stars Domantas Sabonis and De’Aaron Fox. Sabonis is one of the best passing big men in the league, averaging over seven assists per game. Fox, on the other hand, is one of the speediest and shiftiest guards in the world — a nearly impossible player to stay in front of.
Sabonis and Fox will get theirs. That’s what they do. But can the Wizards hold the others in check? If they can get back in transition, rotate to shooters, and protect the paint, they’ll have a good chance to hold the Kings below their season average. If they can do that, they’ll have a chance to steal a game against one of the top teams in the West.
Establishing a presence in the paint has been a focus for the Wizards all season long. When they get two feet in the paint, they’re able to finish high-percentage looks or create open threes for teammates. On Saturday night against the Kings, that will be crucial.
The Kings have struggled to defend the paint at a high level this season. At 54 points per game, they give up the fourth-most paint points in the league. With the Wizards fully healthy, this is an area they can capitalize on. Bradley Beal can attack the cup at a high level in the halfcourt, and Kyle Kuzma and Deni Avdija can grab rebounds and get downhill in transition.
It’s a simple concept, but when playing the best offense in the league, you’re going to have to put up points to win the game. It’s highly unlikely that this will be a grind-it-out style of game with a final score in the 90s or low 100s. The key to scoring points? Knocking down shots.
If Corey Kispert, Kristaps Porzingis, Monte Morris, Avdija, and Kuzma can knock down the open shots that are created within the flow of the Wizards’ offense, they’ll have a good chance to keep pace with the Kings. If the Wizards have an off-shooting night, it’ll be tough. With that being said, knocking down shots is easier said than done.