Washington Wizards: Wizards back home to take on Pistons

The Washington Wizards are back from their thrilling win in London against the New York Knicks to take on the Detroit Pistons.

This is a big game for both the Washington Wizards and the Detroit Pistons. The Wizards have won 6 of their last 9 games and have developed some serious momentum. The Pistons will be without Andre Drummond, which will even out the rebounding battle for Washington.

The Wizards have had a light workload as of late. They’ve had plenty of time for ample rest to be ready for this game. The London game was counted as a home game for the Wizards and that win made them 14-8 at Capital One Arena.

Let’s take a look at the game details below.

Game Info

Game: Washington Wizards vs. Detroit Pistons

When: Monday, January 21

Where: Capital One Arena

TV: NBC Sports Washington, Fubo TV 

Tip-Off Time: 2 pm Eastern Time

Injury Report

Wizards: Dwight Howard (Lumbar microdisectomy procedure-Out),  John Wall (Heel-Out), Markieff Morris (Transient Cervical Neuropraxia-Out)

Pistons: Andre Drummond (Out), Enes Kanter (Out), Ish Smith (Questionable)

Starting Lineup

Wizards: G-Tomas Satoransky, G-Bradley Beal, F-Trevor Ariza, F-Jeff Green, C-Thomas Bryant

Pistons: G-Reggie Jackson, G-Bruce Brown, F-Reggie Bullock, F- Blake Griffin, C-Zaza Pachulla

Prediction

Washington has won 11 of their last 14 home games and two of those losses were to the Toronto Raptors and the Boston Celtics, both in overtime. This is another opportunity for the team to gain some ground on a potential playoff spot.

The Pistons stand 1.5 games back of the 8th spot, while the Wizards stand 2.5 games back. Having these head-to-head wins will be critical down the stretch for both teams, especially because their next matchup in February will take place at Little Caesars Arena in Motown.

With the Wizards hampered by injury and Drummond out, it will be the Bradley Beal and Blake Griffin Show this afternoon. Beal is averaging 30.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game for the month of January. He’s also shooting 46.2 percent from the field and 41.1 percent from 3-point land. January has also been a strong month for Griffin. The big man is averaging 29.3 points per game on 51.4 percent shooting.

Jeff Green will have his hands full taking on Griffin. Last time he was in foul trouble and couldn’t be on the floor. Since Markieff Morris won’t be able to suit up, Green will have to play smart the entire game.

Thomas Bryant has also impressed lately with his mobility for a center. While Griffin is surely more athletic than Bryant, the young Wizard big man has the size to make him work in the post.

The Pistons took the first matchup between the two teams, but today will be a different story. The Wizards have beat Detroit the last seven times they have visited the nation’s capital.

Wizards will win in another close one.

Final Score: WSH-109- DET-105