Warriors Homestand Continues, Take on Wizards: Game Preview
By Eric He
The Golden State Warriors continue their five-game homestand on Tuesday night with a matchup against the Washington Wizards. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
The Golden State Warriors have seemingly regained their mojo after routing the Trail Blazers 103-88 at home on Sunday night. Prior to that game, they had lost five of seven and three straight at Oracle Arena.
They will look to build upon that victory on Tuesday night, continuing their five-game homestand with a matchup against the Washington Wizards.
A team that many expected to make leaps and bounds this season, the Wizards got off to a slow start and it seemed like it would be another long year in the nation’s capital. However, they have since played much better, and thanks to the horrid records of a majority of the teams in the Eastern Conference, the Wizards are right in the mix for a playoff spot despite being one game under .500.
In fact, the Warriors and Wizards both own the sixth seeds in their respective conferences, but the Warriors have six more wins and four fewer losses than the Wizards, which just shows the lack of good teams in the East with the exception of Miami and Indiana.
However, the Wizards shouldn’t be taken lightly. John Wall, who is averaging a career-high 20 points and 8.5 assists per game, will be a handful for the Warriors to defend. Bradley Beal is having a strong sophomore year, and veterans such as Trevor Ariza, Marcin Gortat, Nene, and Martell Webster are making solid contributions for Washington.
The Wizards are in the midst of a four-game Western road trip. They defeated the Suns on Friday, but then lost to the lowly Jazz the following night. They are well rested, however, as they flew into the Bay Area on Sunday.
Tale of the Tape
Warriors
- Points per game: 104.0 (9th)
- Field goal percentage: 46.3% (7th)
- 3-point percentage: 38.6% (4th)
- Opponents’ field goal percentage: 43.4% (T-3rd)
- Rebounds per game: 45.9 (T-3rd)
- Turnovers: 16.2 (29th)
- Bench points per game: 22.9 (30th)
Wizards
- Points per game: 98.9 (19th)
- Field goal percentage: 44.9% (17th)
- 3-point percentage: 38.0% (5th)
- Opponents’ field goal percentage: 46.2% (T-18th)
- Rebounds per game: 42.8 (16th)
- Turnovers: 14.6 (T-17th)
- Bench points per game: 24.8 (29th)
History Says…
Recent history favors the Warriors in this matchup, as they currently have a six-game win streak and have won nine of their last 12 against the Wizards. With a win, they will also have swept the Wizards in four-consecutive seasons.
In their only other matchup this season, the Warriors routed the Wizards 112-96 on the road on Jan. 5.
Injury Report
GSW: Festus Ezeli (recovery from right knee surgery), Nemanja Nedovic (left hamstring strain) and Jermaine O’Neal (recovery from right wrist surgery) are out. Ognjen Kuzmic is on assignment with the Santa Cruz Warriors of the D-League
WAS: Al Harrington (right knee surgery) is out.
GSW: Festus Ezeli (recovery from right knee surgery), Nemanja Nedovic (left hamstring strain) and Jermaine O’Neal (recovery from right wrist surgery) are out. Ognjen Kuzmic is on assignment with the Santa Cruz Warriors of the D-League
WAS: Al Harrington (right knee surgery) is out.
Probable Starters
GOLDEN STATE (26-18)
- F Andre Iguodala (10.1 PPG)
- F David Lee (19.2 PPG)
- C Andrew Bogut (8.0 PPG)
- G Klay Thompson (19.0 PPG)
- G Stephen Curry (24.1 PPG)
WASHINGTON (21-22)
- F Trevor Ariza (14.2 PPG)
- F Nene (13.6 PPG)
- C Marcin Gortat (12.1 PPG)
- G Bradley Beal (16.9 PPG)
- G John Wall (20.0 PPG)
Game Info
Time: 7:30 PST
Location: Oracle Arena, Oakland, CA
TV: LOCAL