Washington Wizards: Diagnosing the Team’s Road Struggles
By Osman Baig
The Starters
Washington’s starters are 3rd in the NBA in points per game, averaging 81.5 points and 4th in the NBA in points per game on the road at 78.2.
They are also 9th in the NBA in plus/minus on the road at a net zero (0) currently.
In the first half of road games, they are 5th in the NBA, averaging 41.5 points on a +/- of 2.6.
The second half is where the starters run into trouble, dropping to 36.1 points on a +/- of -1.3, which is tied for 17th in the NBA. They start well, but wear down in the second half of ball games.
In terms of individual players, there is a drop in production.
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John Wall, Bradley Beal and Otto Porter all have decreased production in terms of points, shooting percentages and free throw attempts on the road.
On a points per game basis, the decrease equates to a 14.3 percent drop in production.
On the flip side, Markieff Morris and Marcin Gortat increase their production, averaging more points, rebounds and shoot at a higher percentage away from Verizon Center.
In 2013-14, the Washington Wizards had a winning road record (22-19), tied for 8th in the NBA and went an impressive 5-1 in the NBA Playoffs.
That roster had a mix of youth and veteran pros.
Wall and Beal, although established to a degree, were still cementing their place in the NBA and were not relied on to the degree they currently are.
The 2013-’14 season was their first experience adjusting to playing meaningful basketball games. Trevor Ariza, Nene and Gortat were seasoned pros – players who have seen enough NBA arenas to not be affected by road life in the NBA and playing in an opposing arena in hostile environments.
Ariza seemed to thrive on the road, shooting better from the field, 3-point range and averaging nearly 3 points higher on the road than he did at Verizon Center.
The trio of Wall, Beal and Otto Porter is the foundation of the team.
Although they seem to struggle to a degree on the road, the team isn’t going to nor should they take the ball out of their hands.
Given the burden those three, in particular Wall and Beal, carry for this team, it’s also unfair to say they are where the problem lies.