(Photo: Geoff Burke/USA TODAY Sports)
Regular Season Game 50
Thunder (30-20) at Wizards (27-22)
January 30, 2018 at 7:00 PM Capital One Arena | Washington, D.C.
TV: NBCSW Radio: 1500 AM
What to Watch:
Team Offense
For the first time since 1992, the Washington Wizards recorded 40 assists in a single-game against the Atlanta Hawks. Of course, much of that had to do with playing the 14-35 Hawks and shots simply falling, which seems to not be the case at points this season. Everyone got to touch the ball and everyone got in on the fun of scoring. When that is the case, it is easy to see that players are more engaged on the defensive end because they feel rewarded for such effort on the offensive end with the ball moving and finding the open man.
Key Matchup:
Bradley Beal vs. Russell Westbrook
Less than a week ago when these two All-Stars went at it, Westbrook dropped 46 including 21 in the fourth quarter to out do Beal's 41 points. Unfortunately for the Thunder, shooting guard Andre Roberson is now out for the season with a ruptured patellar tendon that might make things easier for Beal who was constantly hounded by the elite defender. The down side for Beal is that he may be asked to defend the reigning MVP at times during the game, which could require significant energy against the athletic and powerful Westbrook.
X-Factor:
John Wall's Health
After sitting out of Saturday's game in Atlanta, Wall will meet with the doctor that conducted his double knee surgery in May 2016 on Monday and Tuesday to seek a second opinion on his recurring left knee soreness that has already cost him 12 games this season. Upon consultation with Dr. Richard D. Parker at the Cleveland Clinic Marymount and Wizards head team physician Wiemi Douoguih, Wall received PRP (platelet-rich plasma) and viscosupplementation injections to reduce the inflammation in his left knee two months ago that cost him a couple weeks. If Wall cannot go against Oklahoma City, which he is officially doubtful for, the burden will shift to Tomas Satoransky and Tim Frazier who combined for 21 assists and three turnovers against the Hawks although Russell Westbrook is a different animal.
Fun Factor:
'The District' Uniforms
Many others teams across the NBA have already debuted and got much praise for their City Edition uniforms, which are the fourth types of jerseys that Nike had created for each team, and Washington will dawn them for the first time on Tuesday.
Prediction:
Washington makes things entertaining but the club will not go up on a Tuesday as Oklahoma City wins their eighth straight game.