Wizards hold early bird promotions in effort to increase Game 5 attendance

Game 5 of the Wizards vs. Hawks series will start at 6 p.m. ET tonight. In a city where there are major traffic jams, and at times, a rather fickle fanbase. As you might expect, John Wall and Scott Brooks pleaded for fans to get there early despite the early start:

The Wizards have also stepped up their promotions to get people in the door on time. So if you have a ticket to the game, here are some incentives for you:

$5 meals from 5 to 6 p.m.

Many fans like having pre game meals. In fact, there’s no shortage of restaurants in and around Chinatown. However, let’s be honest. Happy hours often start at 5, and you may not be done with your meal until 6 p.m. So by the time you get in the Verizon Center, it’s too late.

So, Verizon Center will offer $5 meal deals to get people in early from 5 to 6. It doesn’t apply to all places, like The Bone, Jose Andres’ place, and Chick Fil-A. But I certainly hope that most places have a meal deal that offers more than a cold hot dog.

Half priced hats!

Not everyone has a casual dress code at work. If you have to go to the office in a suit, then you won’t have time to change. The Verizon Center team store will offer all hats for 50 percent off between 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. so you can have some Wizards gear on for tip off. If you also have a Wizards jacket to put on your business attire to go along with your new hat, this could be you as the Wizards cruise to a Game 5 victory!

Bottom line: If you’re going to the game, please get there early. I get that the NBA scheduling Gods don’t seem to like the Wizards for whatever reason, but let’s not make that a self fulfilling prophecy when it comes to fan attendance!