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Three Under-the-Radar Games for the 2017-18 Washington Wizards

By C. Denton Day

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 16: Bradley Beal #3 and John Wall #2 of the Washington Wizards celebrate a point against the Portland Trail Blazers during the first half at Verizon Center on January 16, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 16: Bradley Beal #3 and John Wall #2 of the Washington Wizards celebrate a point against the Portland Trail Blazers during the first half at Verizon Center on January 16, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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The Washington Wizards’ schedule was released a week ago, and we all know about the big marquee games. Here are three under the radar games fans should be excited for.

When the 2017-18 NBA schedule was released it was clear that the Wizards are finally getting the respect that D.C. fans have been asking for. The team will play on national television 18 times, eleven games on ESPN/ABC and seven on TNT.

Those games are going to play a huge factor in terms of public opinion of the team. However, there are a few other games that will not be broadcasted to the national audience that could tear the house down.

December 7 at Phoenix

PHOENIX, AZ – MARCH 7: Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards drives to the basket against the Phoenix Suns during the game on March 7, 2017 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ – MARCH 7: Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards drives to the basket against the Phoenix Suns during the game on March 7, 2017 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The newest trend in the NBA is ridiculous amounts of offense coming from a single player or a small group of players. Last year, Suns guard Devin Booker became the sixth player in NBA history to score 70 points in a game.

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Before that game the Bradley Beal vs. Booker matchup was fun. This year it’s really fun. Both players are two of the next great shooting guards in the NBA. Not quite James Harden or Klay Thompson level yet, but both men could soon join that upper tier of shooting guards.

The matchup would rise to the next level if fans were treated to a stretch late in the game showcasing both men’s shooting ability as they go blow-for-blow trading baskets.

On top of that matchup, Suns’ rookie Josh Jackson is a promising young player who will be fun to watch. Oh, and as always that guy John Wall, who makes every game more enjoyable no matter what.

December 13 vs. Memphis

MEMPHIS, TN – OCTOBER 30: Mike Conley #11 of the Memphis Grizzlies shoots the ball against John Wall #2 of the Washington Wizards on October 30, 2016 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN – OCTOBER 30: Mike Conley #11 of the Memphis Grizzlies shoots the ball against John Wall #2 of the Washington Wizards on October 30, 2016 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /

For starters, I recognize that these two teams do play on national television less than a month later on January 5. From that standpoint this might be cheating. But that game is at Memphis and the December 13 matchup is in D.C.

This matchup centers on the point guards. John Wall has cemented himself as one of, if not the best, pure point guard in the NBA. The Grizzlies floor general Mike Conley has very quietly joined the conversation of best point guards as well.

Conley is one of the best players that nobody talks about on a consistent basis and proved it in the Grizzlies playoff series against the San Antonio Spurs.

Conley went toe-to-toe with top MVP candidate Kawhi Leonard and nearly won. I’m expecting we’re going to see that same Conley for most, if not all, of this upcoming season.

But if you think John Wall is going to quietly let Conley walk all over him I politely challenge you to readjust your thought process. Each guy makes the players around him noticeably better and they are going to push each other to their limit.

It would not be crazy to suggest that each guy goes for 30 and 10. As a fan you cannot really ask for much more.

March 13 vs. Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – MARCH 13: Andrew Wiggins
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – MARCH 13: Andrew Wiggins /

Playing off the loophole that NBATV does not count as national television this game against the Timberwovles could have slight playoff implications on the line.

Minnesota was expected by many to take a huge jump last year and make the playoffs, which did not happen. So they traded for three-time All-Star Jimmy Butler.

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Playing in the Western Conference means that every game after the All-Star break carries a little more weight for the Timberwolves. Expect them to bring the fight every night.

The Timberwolves’ big three of Butler, Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns taking on the Wizards big three of Wall, Beal and Otto Porter should have your mouth-watering if you love basketball. Those six guys each bring some sort of unique skill, style, flare or whatever other action verb you want to use to describe a guy’s game.

We could even reach and mention Butler’s slight beef with the Wizards in the 2014 playoffs. However, considering that was more a beef with Nene, who is no longer with the team, rather than the whole team itself we’re not going to hold that very high.

Bottom line is this game has the potential to be a masterful offensive explosion from both teams.

Next: Wall Talks Unity in Light of Charlottesville

It’s hard to believe we’re less than two months from opening night.

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