
1. Contain Spencer Dinwiddie
There’s a reason the Nets gave Spencer Dinwiddie a three-year, $34 million extension on Thursday: He’s their most explosive, effective player. Just ask the Sixers, who saw Dinwiddie go off for 39 points against them off the bench on Wednesday and lead his team to victory.
Even though he doesn’t start for Brooklyn, he’s usually on the floor during the team’s most important moments. He’s averaging 16.9 points and 4.9 assists per game, and leads the team in Offensive Win Shares.
Along with D’Angelo Russell (17.9 points and 5.9 assists per game), the two guards have proven to be a dynamic duo that the Wizards backcourt needs to watch out for. Wall and Beal definitely have the upper hand, but Dinwiddie and Russell should not be underestimated. When they get their games going, it opens shots up for the Nets’ three-point shooters like Joe Harris (45 percent, which is 7th in the league) and Allen Crabbe (39 percent).
The Wizards were able to keep both Dinwiddie and Russell in check when the two teams played on December 1, holding both to just 8 points each. If they can do that again, or close to it, the Wizard should return to Washington with the win.