Tonight, the Wizards start their west coast trip at Crypto.com Arena tonight against the Los Angles Clippers. The Clippers have full momentum over Washington after the Wizards 35 point blown lead to them in late January! This was where the trade talk started for Washington. They ended up adding Kristaps Porzingis, Ish Smith and Vernon Carey Jr. who have made a big impact for them. Porzingis had 25 points in his debut with the Wizards on Wednesday. The Clippers made a big trade earlier in the trade deadline getting Norman Powell and Robert Covington. Unfortunately for the Clippers, Powell and Covington are out for this game. Can the Wizards get revenge on the Clippers with their new pieces to start their west coast trip?
My prediction: Wizards win in a close, high scoring game
The Wizards will win this game because of dominating the paint. Kristaps Porzingis did a great job at reading the defense against Indiana and that is why he had such a good game. Now, he and defensive monster Daniel Gafford are going against an average defensive center with Ivica Zubac. The Wizards will out-rebound the Clippers because of this. The Wizards are also much better and 3pt shooting. The Wizards only made 1/3 of their 3 pointers in their last matchup against the Clippers. However, since the trade deadline, Washington has shot 42% from deep. The Wizards will dominate the paint and the play well on the outside to get a close win on the road.
Superman Sleeper: Ish Smith is my Superman Sleeper for tonight’s game. Reggie Jackson had 4 points, shot 1-9 from the field and was a -29 against the Wizards in that late January game. He hasn’t been great against the Wizards. He is now taking the assignment of Ish Smith for tonight’s game. Smith is replacing Raul Neto due to Neto’s ankle injury. Smith has 5 double digit point games in 9 games with the Wizards since the trade deadline! He will dominate Reggie Jackson and he is my Superman Sleeper because of it!
1-1,000,000 chance
The Clippers won’t score from the 5:44-3:58 mark of the 1st quarter!
Starters
Wizards Clippers
Smith Jackson
Kispert Mann
Caldwell-Pope Batum
Kuzma Morris Sr.
Porzingis Zubac
Injuries
Wizards: Beal (IR)
Clippers: TBA
Chase Coburn
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chase@chasessportsnews.com
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