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When it rains it pours. And right now, the Washington Wizards are drowning.
Once upon a time, the Wizards were the no. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, looking like they had finally become part of the elite.
Now, they are an mediocre 35-28 on the season and have won just two of their last 10 games. In 2015 alone, they are a dismal 13-19.
Tonight, they play the Charlotte Hornets, a team not only on their heels in the Southeast Division, but the Eastern Conference as well. This is the third game the two teams have played this season - The Hornets have won all two and are sitting pretty on a five game winning streak overall.
When and where? 7 p.m. from Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte. Watch on CSN Washington or join the #radioparty on 99.1 FM.
Who's out? Kris Humphries is still out for the Wizards, and Bradley Beal, who was rested Saturday night, is still listed as day to day. Kemba Walker, who had knee surgery in January, is still out for the Hornets.
Hot Hornets? On Jan. 28, the Hornets were 11.5 games behind the Wizards. Now, they are just six games behind them and have jumped up to the no. 7 spot in the Eastern Conference. Winners of six of their last 10, they are also on a five game winning streak, even without their star, PG Kemba Walker (who by the way, looks like he will be back in time to end the season and carry them into the playoffs). Against the rest of the East, Charlotte is 21-16, including 7-4 against the Southeast Division. Their offense isn't the best in the league, but they rebound well (ninth, with 44.4 per game) and defend well (sixth, with 96.8 per game). Center Al Jefferson has also had a ballin' month. In March, he's shooting 52.3 percent from the field, with 20.6 ppg and 10.6 rebounds. Mo Williams, who came over from Minnesota in February, has been just as good for the Hornets, too.
Woeful Wizards? I don't know how many more times I can harp on how bad this team has regressed as the season has gone on. It's gotten to the point where I don't even know if they themselves know why they have fallen so fast and hard. The stats just keep piling up and I don't even care to look them up anymore. Here's a few ... They've lost nine road games in a row, which they haven't done since losing 10 straight in spring 2011. Against the East, sure they're 24-18, but against the Southeast Division, they're an average 7-6. Against Western Conference teams? 11-10. Perhaps the most telling stat: vs. teams .500 and above, they're 10-20. Wall is part of these woes right now - in March, he's shooting 31.7 percent from the field, well below his season average of 44.5 percent. His points per game (12.7) and assists per game (9.7) have faltered as well. It's understandable when you're the star and have to carry the team, but if the Wizards want to make a dent in the postseason, Wall is going to need to not go so hard - but this also means his teammates need to man up and play harder.
Predictions? I don't know because this team is just so bad. LOL. So, let's just TBD this one.