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Washington Wizards: 3 Things to Watch For Against the Brooklyn Nets

By Andrew E. Johnson

`WASHINGTON, DC -  DECEMBER 1: Jarrett Allen #31 of the Brooklyn Nets handles the ball against the Washington Wizards on December 1, 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 -  DECEMBER 1: Jarrett Allen #31 of the Brooklyn Nets handles the ball against the Washington Wizards on December 1, 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 Wizards
Washington Wizards Bradley Beal and Brooklyn Nets Jarrett Allen (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

3. Keep the Nets Big Men Off of the Glass

Remember when the Wizards traded a first-round pick to the Nets for Bojan Bogdanovic? Well, that pick turned into Jarrett Allen, who has become the center of the future from Brooklyn. Along with teammate Ed Davis, both big men could prove problematic for the Wizards.

Allen and Davis are among some of the best offensive rebounders in the league this season. NBA.com has Davis as leading the league in offensive-rebound percentage at 16.5 percent, and sixth in defensive-rebound percentage at 28.8 percent. Allen also is performing well: He ranks 16th overall in offensive-rebound percentage at 10.2 percent.

To make matters worse, both Allen and Davis are in the top 20 in field-goal percentage (59 percent and 58.8 percent, respectively). The combination of an offensive-rebounding advantage and their knack for finishing around the rim could spell trouble.

Even though Thomas Bryant has cemented his place in the starting lineup, he’s still only playing about 13 minutes per game, meaning the Wizards are going smaller more often, especially with Markieff Morris in the 5 spot. While both Bryant and Morris are performing respectably down low, Allen and Davis present one of their bigger challenge yet.

To counter the Nets’ size, the Wizards will not only need a lot from the young Bryant, and it could also mean we see more of Ian Mahinmi than we’ve been seeing lately. The rest of the Wizards will also have to make a concentrated group effort to crash the boards on the defensive end from the wings. This may limit their pace a bit, but it’s better than giving up an easy dunk or layup.

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