Washington Wizards: 3 players that need to step up with Deni Avdija out

Washington Wizards that need to step up: Davis Bertans

David Bertans is usually the first guy off the bench for the Wizards, and more times than not, he’s coming in to relieve Deni Avdija of his duties and give the rookie a rest. So, fair or not, Bertans will need to pick up the slack with Avdija out of the lineup. Not that he’s the one slacking these days.

Luckily for the Wizards, Betrans is playing his best basketball of the season, and it couldn’t come at a better time. During the month of April (nine games), Bertans is shooting over 49 percent from three on more than 8 attempts per game, and his three-point shooting percentage this season is now above 40 percent.

Bertans is finally dropping bombs like we hoped he would be all season. Better late than never, right? Bertans’ long-range sniping adds a new wrinkle to the Wizards’ offense, making it incredibly tough to stop. This season, the Wizards are 11-5 when Bertans makes four or more three-pointers in a game and have won each of the last five such games.

The strategy of outscoring opponents hasn’t worked particularly well for the Wizards in recent seasons. Their current winning streak, which is now up to seven games, coincides with improved play on the defensive end. But with Avdija out and Bertans lighting it up, the Wizards may need to run up the score in order to win a few of their final games.