The Washington Wizards have been careless with the ball lately. They’ll have to reverse that trend quickly as they get ready to start the longest road trip of the season thus far.
Losers of three of their last five, the Washington Wizards aren’t looking like a team that has championship aspirations.
They have nestled into a cozy fifth position in the Eastern Conference with a 25-19 record. Throughout the first half of the season they looked really good at times. Other times, they don’t look as good, hence their losing record against sub-.500 teams.
In their recent five-game stretch, Washington’s inconsistent play has been on full display. The stretch includes a home loss to the worst road team in the NBA (Utah Jazz), a narrow escape in overtime from the 18-27 Brooklyn Nets and two losses to the middling Milwaukee Bucks.
Washington hasn’t been a turnover-prone team this year as they only average 14.2 (ranked 19th) per game. Over the last five games, however, the team has averaged 17.2 turnovers a game. This includes 23 turnovers in their loss to the Jazz, and a season-high 24 turnovers in their most recent loss to the Bucks.
Recently, coach Scott Brooks gave some telling remarks regarding turnovers after their loss to the Jazz. “They did a good job of putting their hands on us and we turned the ball over too many times.”
Typically these words would describe issues that first or second year players have as they adjust to the physicality of the pro game. But in fact, it’s been the Wizards young veterans (and primary playmakers) who have been the main culprits.
In the Jazz loss, four-time All-Star John Wall committed a team-high eight turnovers. In the sloppy effort against the Bucks, it was backcourt buddy Bradley Beal leading the way with seven turnovers.
Teams like the Jazz and Bucks can disrupt their opponents with scrappy defense, while using their length to deflect and intercept passes. Both teams are among the league leaders in steals per game.
Washington will face two more teams during their five-game road swing that present similar challenges.
Both the Detroit Pistons and Oklahoma City Thunder have solid defenders that feed off sloppy passing and rank first and 14th, respectfully, in steals per game. The Thunder are especially opportunistic, boasting the league’s best thieving duo in stars Paul George (ranked No.1) and Russell Westbrook (tied for No. 3).
The next five games will require concentration and discipline from the Wizards. Beal and Wall will have to consistently set the tone for the rest of the team during the trip. If they don’t, expect more disappointing results.
The Wizards first test is Wednesday night in Charlotte when they take on the Hornets.