Wiz of Awes
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Wizards v. Celtics Pregame Analysis

By Jen Julie Smith

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 8: Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards shoots the ball during the game against the Boston Celtics on February 8, 2018 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 8: Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards shoots the ball during the game against the Boston Celtics on February 8, 2018 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 8: Terry Rozier #12 of the Boston Celtics celebrates after hitting a three pointer against the Washington Wizards in the first half at Capital One Arena on February 8, 2018 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 8: Terry Rozier #12 of the Boston Celtics celebrates after hitting a three pointer against the Washington Wizards in the first half at Capital One Arena on February 8, 2018 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

Keys to the game

Although the Celtics are plagued with injury, that shouldn’t be a green light for the Wizards to take their foot off the gas.

Just because Boston is depleted doesn’t mean they can be easily defeated.

Therefore, Washington shouldn’t fall for the trap that they used to set for themselves when they played sub-.500 teams. That it would be a cakewalk and they don’t have to try as hard.

A beleaguered Boston doesn’t make a winnable matchup. Boston may not be able to beat Washington on Wednesday. But Washington may beat themselves.

The Wizards shouldn’t be baited into silly fouls, because that’s playing into Boston’s hands.

Marcin Gortat has to step up. He fell short in their loss to Miami with three rebounds, and again on Tuesday. Against Minnesota he had two rebounds. Five rebounds in two games?

While Bradley Beal should set the tempo of the game. Washington shouldn’t play at Boston’s pace.

Ramon Sessions has to control his passes. Sessions does a good job of getting to the line, while Boston does a good job of making sure their opponent doesn’t see the line.

Therefore, Sessions has to get the second-unit more involved. The veteran guard can create his own plays, he just has to start setting up plays for others.

Defense has been Washington’s weakness of late.

Earlier in the season, John Wall provided a key ingredient as to when Washington wins, and when they lose:

"“Both units are letting their defense dictate their offense, in the past we let our offense dictate our defense, that’s why we had so many bad lapses.”"

The Wizards can’t afford to give up second and third chance points to a hungry Boston team. Because the Celtics are a team known to rise to the occasion when a man goes down.

Tipoff is at 8 PM on ESPN.

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