Washington Wizards: 3 keys to victory over the Phoenix Suns
By Ethan Smith
Key to Victory #1: Make a three!
Somebody. Anybody. I’m begging you. MAKE A THREE!
At no time was the four months of basketball rust more visible through the first three scrimmages than when the Wizards were shooting threes. Without Bradley Beal and Davis Bertans in Orlando, the Wizards are in serious need of some shooting. Heading into game one, it appears they’re still looking for it.
The Wizards shot below 30 percent from three in each of their scrimmages, all of which they lost. Cumulatively, they shot just 27.7 percent over the three exhibition games. If those scrimmages were meant to be final tune-ups, the Wizards looked like they need an entire overhaul from outside.
It’s not surprising considering they’re missing more than half of their usual three-point attempts each night with Beal and Bertans somewhere outside the bubble, but still worrisome.
Fortunately, the Suns didn’t look a whole lot better from long range in their scrimmages, They shot above 30 percent just once, shooting a lowly 31.8 percent during the three exhibition games. Not much better than the Wizards, but still better.
Next. Hot start will be key for Wizards; playoff push. dark
If one team is able to shake the shooting struggles and get hot, that could be the difference if the other squad remains dreadful from distance.