Bullets Forever - Wizards at Jazz: Wiz blow winnable game in Utah; fall below .500 again"Ain't No Luck"https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48097/BulletsForever-fv.png2014-01-26T09:55:29-05:00http://www.bulletsforever.com/rss/stream/51095792014-01-26T09:55:29-05:002014-01-26T09:55:29-05:00Magical Pixels: Wizards done Wizarded
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/5n8OYbeW1Ntu6y5xCcNrV3m9BJM=/0x43:4000x2710/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/27491487/20140125_sng_bn1_169.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Alright, this ".500?" shtick was cute, but seriously.</p> <p>Well, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/">Washington Wizards</a> done gone and Wizarded some more.</p>
<p>Criminy, this team. One night after one of their better wins of the season, the Wizards rode apathy, poor shot selection and a defense-is-optional mentality to a 104-101 loss to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.slcdunk.com/">Utah Jazz</a>. <span>Trevor Ariza</span> scored a team-high 23 points and nailed six of the team's seven three-pointers, but he also jacked up a wild, off-balance three with 11 seconds to play, the shot clock turned off, and Washington trailing, 101-98. The game was pretty much over from there.</p>
<p>Neither starting point guard had a great game, but <span>John Wall</span> got outplayed by rookie Trey Burke. Wall finished with 13 points, four assists and four turnovers on 4-of-14 shooting, while Burke tallied 12 points, eight assists and two turnovers on 4-of-12 shooting (4-of-5 from three). <span>Bradley Beal</span> scored 14 points (5-of-16 shooting) and dished out eight assists, but his minus-12 was worst on the team, and the only negative plus/minus put up by a Washington starter.</p>
<p>The Wizards blew their sixth chance this season at going above .500, but their seventh shot probably won't come for awhile. Washington now travels to play the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/">Warriors</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Clippers</a> before coming home to face the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Thunder</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blazersedge.com/">Trail Blazers</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/">Spurs</a> in consecutive games. Looking at that stretch charitably, the Wizards are probably at best two games under .500 when they play the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fearthesword.com/">Cavaliers</a> at home Feb. 7.</p>
<p>So, if there's a silver lining to yesterday's loss, it's that we won't have to deal with the .500 shtick for awhile. Bad news is that the Wizards figure to remain a losing club for at least a couple more weeks. Sad face.</p>
<h4>KEY LINKS</h4>
<p><b>Road team recaps: </b><a href="http://www.bulletsforever.com/2014/1/25/5345538/wizards-at-jazz-sixth-times-a-charm" target="_blank">BF StoryStream</a> | <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/wizards/jazz-104-wizards-101-washington-cant-hold-13-point-lead-fails-again-to-get-over-500/2014/01/26/19d464e2-8600-11e3-801f-e3ff2ca3fab6_story.html" target="_blank">Washington Post</a> | <a href="http://washingtontimes.csnwashington.com/news/2014/jan/26/stop-us-if-youve-heard-wizards-lose-latest-chance-/" target="_blank">AP</a> | CSN Washington (<a href="http://www.csnwashington.com/basketball-washington-wizards/talk/fourth-quarter-drought-dooms-wizards-utah" target="_blank">recap</a>, <a href="http://www.csnwashington.com/basketball-washington-wizards/talk/wake-call-schedule-can-be-wizards-downfall" target="_blank">sidebar</a>) | <a href="http://wizofawes.com/2014/01/25/wizards-play-down-to-competition-lose-jazz/" target="_blank">Wiz of Awes</a> | <a href="http://dcprosportsreport.com/wizards-rise-at-suns-101-95/" target="_blank">DC Pro Sports Report</a> | <a href="http://www.nba.com/wizards/game-recap-wizards-101-jazz-104" target="_blank">Wizards.com</a> | <a href="http://washingtonwizardsblog.monumentalnetwork.com/2014/01/25/wizjazz-gameday-blog" target="_blank">Monumental Network</a> | <a href="http://dailywizdom.monumentalnetwork.com/2014/01/26/dailywizdomjan26" target="_blank">Daily Wizdom</a></p>
<p><b>Home team recaps:</b> <a href="http://www.slcdunk.com/2014/1/25/5346418/game-44-recap-jazz-outduel-the-wizards" target="_blank">SLC Dunk</a> | Salt Lake Tribune (<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/jazz/57448894-87/jazz-hayward-washington-utah.html.csp" target="_blank">gamer</a>, <a href="http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/jazz/57448938-87/wall-jazz-shots-burke.html.csp" target="_blank">sidebar</a>) | Deseret News (<a href="http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865594887/Utah-Jazz-Washington-Wizards-narrowly-lead-Jazz-at-halftime.html" target="_blank">gamer</a>, <a href="http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865594908/Utah-Jazz-instant-analysis-Utahs-young-core-leads-Jazz-to-victory-over-the-Wizards.html" target="_blank">sidebar</a>) | <a href="http://saltcityhoops.com/the-triple-team-three-thoughts-on-jazz-vs-wizards-1252014/" target="_blank">Salt City Hoops</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.nba.com/wizards/video/games/jazz/2014/01/25/0021300652-wasvsuta-recap.nba/" target="_blank">Game highlights</a></p>
<p><b>Postgame interviews: </b><a href="http://www.monumentalnetwork.com/videos/randy-wittman-postgame-1-25-14" target="_blank">Randy Wittman</a> | <a href="http://www.monumentalnetwork.com/videos/bradley-beal-postgame-1-25-14" target="_blank">Bradley Beal</a> | <a href="http://www.monumentalnetwork.com/videos/marcin-gortat-postgame-1-25-14" target="_blank">Marcin Gortat</a> | <a href="http://www.monumentalnetwork.com/videos/trevor-ariza-postgame-1-25-14" target="_blank">Trevor Ariza</a></p>
<h4>KEY STATS</h4>
<p><b>30</b> - Combined shooting percentage of John Wall (4-of-14 shooting) and Bradley Beal (5-of-16) against the Jazz.</p>
<p><b>85</b> - Enes Kanter's shooting percentage against the Wizards. Kanter scored 24 points in 30 minutes on 11-of-13 shooting. Woof.</p>
<p><b>34</b> - Scoring discrepancy between Utah's bench and Washington's. Jazz reserves scored 52 points, while the Wizards' bench totaled 18.</p>
<h4>TWEETS OF THE NIGHT</h4>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p><a href="https://twitter.com/BulletsForever">@BulletsForever</a> my new theory? The Wiz targeting fifth in the Eastern Playoffs so as to maintain their Visitor Court Advantage</p>
— Jonathan S (@JS889208) <a href="https://twitter.com/JS889208/statuses/427289996236963840">January 26, 2014</a>
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<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>The Wizards played their best half defensively yesterday. Today may have been their worst.</p>
— Michael Sykes, II (@Mikey_NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/Mikey_NBA/statuses/427291173481627649">January 26, 2014</a>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>Ariza 6 of 9 on 3s... the rest of the Wizards are 0-for-8 from long range <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23WizardsTalk&src=hash">#WizardsTalk</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23WizJazz&src=hash">#WizJazz</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23NBA&src=hash">#NBA</a></p>
— J. Michael (@JMichaelCSN) <a href="https://twitter.com/JMichaelCSN/statuses/427292494184079360">January 26, 2014</a>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>So....................<a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Wizards&src=hash">#Wizards</a> yet?</p>
— Kyle Weidie (@Truth_About_It) <a href="https://twitter.com/Truth_About_It/statuses/427291966628700160">January 26, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>There's only 82 games in a season, can't expect to get 500!!! The. Math. Don't. Add. Up.</p>
— Wiz Spurtin ! ! (@Wiz_Spurtin) <a href="https://twitter.com/Wiz_Spurtin/statuses/427329105294393344">January 26, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
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<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></p>
<p> </p>
<h4>VIDEO/GIF OF THE NIGHT</h4>
<p>(H/T <a href="https://twitter.com/adammcginnis" target="_blank">@adammcginnis</a>)</p>
<p><iframe class="vine-embed" src="https://vine.co/v/Mu7BAMPV20P/embed/simple" width="600" height="600" frameborder="0"></iframe>
<script src="//platform.vine.co/static/scripts/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<h4>GAMETHREAD COMMENT OF THE NIGHT</h4>
<p><img src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/3914313/GT_comment.png"></p>
<h4>GAMETHREAD ROLLCALL</h4>
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<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/qthaballa">qthaballa</a></td>
<td>81</td>
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<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/DCrez">DCrez</a></td>
<td>73</td>
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<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Wall_Hopeful">Wall_Hopeful</a></td>
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<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/JimmyWall">JimmyWall</a></td>
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<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/HailSkinz">HailSkinz</a></td>
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<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Durant">Durant</a></td>
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<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/WASwizardsfan671">WASwizardsfan671</a></td>
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<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/gregjohnson1229">gregjohnson1229</a></td>
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<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/ATrueNigerian">ATrueNigerian</a></td>
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<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/John%20Wall%20Stan">John Wall Stan</a></td>
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<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/KINGWIZ86">KINGWIZ86</a></td>
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<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/PolishHammer">PolishHammer</a></td>
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<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Mike%20Berry">Mike Berry</a></td>
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https://www.bulletsforever.com/2014/1/26/5346980/magical-pixels-wizards-vs-jazz-washington-continues-epic-500-trollingJeff Newman2014-01-25T23:33:30-05:002014-01-25T23:33:30-05:00Wizards blow it again, fall to Jazz, 104-101
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/630Z1yZcIEiCI8hO_5-OrGC9z4Q=/0x22:933x644/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/27480003/20120423_ter_au3_076.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Brad Mills-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Wizards did it again, letting what should have been an easy win over the Utah Jazz slip away.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/">Washington Wizards</a> blew another chance at going above .500 and fell to 21-22 on the year tonight, losing to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.slcdunk.com/">Jazz</a>, 104-101. This is the sixth time they've failed to achieve a winning record this year.</p>
<p>The Wizards led for most of the game until the Jazz took over in the third quarter. Utah hit a couple of three pointers and killed Washington's bench with its inside-outside game. Turnovers in the fourth put Utah ahead, 85-77, late in the fourth.</p>
<p>Wall struggled all night, especially when attempting to take over the game in the fourth quarter. He forced jumpers and seemed antsy to make plays, despite how well the offense flowed when the ball went through Bradley Beal and Nene. He was keyed in defensively and prevented Trey Burke from getting going, especially late in the game. Unfortunately, the mid-range twos that he loves to take off the dribble didn't fall and he wasn't able to pull off any miracle threes until the game was already more or less out of reach.</p>
<p>Washington actually played well at the end of the game, They didn't panic and executed the offense to perfection while making one last late-game push for the win. Utah made shots, some easy, some not, and countered each Washington layup or three with one of their own. A Utah miss that led to an open Beal three in transition could have made things interesting but Beal missed and Utah got the ball back.</p>
<p>Washington got anonther crack at tying the game late with Utah up 101-98 with about 20 seconds left. The Wizards weren't able to get a clean look and Utah collected the bricked Trevor Ariza three. Utah made one of two free throws, Washington got the ball back and Wall banked in a quick three, putting the Wizards down one, 101-102 with 3.6 seconds left and Utah with the ball. <span>Gordon Hayward made two free throws and Washington got the ball back with 2.6 left. Wall caught the inbound pass, streaked up the court and fired off a running three from just inside halfcourt that bounced off the rim and Utah walked away with the win.</span></p>
<p>Next up is Golden State, so it may be a while until the Wizards get over .500. The worst thing about this is that, without a solid cushion, they're an injury to Wall or Nene away from potentially going on a big enough losing streak to push them out of the East's top eight. New York and Brooklyn have both looked better lately, Toronto is doing well and Detroit or Charlotte could easily go on a run. These are not good times.</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/lbVdyPZiOLM" height="315" width="420"></iframe></p>
<ul>
<li><span>Otto Porter and Kevin Seraphin looked good in limited minutes tonight. In Seraphin's case, his shot was falling all night and he hit some fancy post shots against Enes Kanter. Porter didn't do much that showed up in the box score but his length was noticeably disruptive to Utah's passing when he was in. One line up that I'd like to see more of is the Wall-Ariza-Porter-Nene-Gortat one that saw action in the second quarter and looked like it could be absolutely smothering defensively.</span></li>
<li><span>Enes Kanter was dominant on the blocks tonight. He easily banged with Seraphin, no lightweight in his own right, and Marcin Gortat and got to the basket repeatedly. He also flashed a pretty jump shot a few times.</span></li>
<li><span>Beal ran the point a bit in the second quarter. He struggled to beat his man off the dribble but to his credit had a few nice passes and showed off a few crafty moves that led to contact around the basket. He looks better and better running the pick and roll with Seraphin and Gortat.</span></li>
<li><span>Ariza had a great game, finishing with 23 points and five rebounds. He was very disruptive defensively and did a good job of deflecting passes and helping to fuel the Wizards' transition game. That said, it might be time to sell high. Porter is looking better and better and seems capable of doing a lot of the same things. It might be time to give him a little more playing time and move Ariza to the 2.</span></li>
<li><span>Nene was really physical tonight and had a couple of emphatic dunks. He seems almost angry at the team's lack of consistency, like he wants to take it out on the rim. There wasn't a single player on the Jazz he couldn't outmuscle or beat with his quickness when he caught the ball around the basket.</span></li>
</ul>
https://www.bulletsforever.com/2014/1/25/5346330/wizards-vs-jazz-final-score-washington-lets-another-shot-500-slipThomas Pruitt2014-01-25T20:31:01-05:002014-01-25T20:31:01-05:00Your Wizards-Jazz game thread
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<figcaption>Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Discuss tonight's game here.</p> <table cellspacing="5" cellpadding="5" border="1" align="center"><tbody> <tr><th bgcolor="silver" align="center" style="text-align: center;" colspan="3">2013-14 NBA Regular Season</th></tr> <tr> <td width="240"><center style="text-align: center;"><img width="80" height="72" src="http://www.underconsideration.com/brandnew/archives/wizards_alt_logo_hand.gif"></center></td> <th width="20" align="center" style="text-align: center;">vs</th> <td width="240"><center style="text-align: center;"><img width="80" height="72" src="http://content.sportslogos.net/logos/6/234/full/txe1ybetuoye8pirnrhqalh04.gif"></center></td> </tr> <tr><td bgcolor="silver" align="center" style="text-align: center;" colspan="3"><strong>January 25, 2014</strong></td></tr> <tr><td align="center" style="text-align: center;" colspan="3"><strong>Energy Solutions Arena</strong></td></tr> <tr><td align="center" style="text-align: center;" colspan="3"><strong>9 p.m.</strong></td></tr> <tr><td align="center" style="text-align: center;" colspan="3"><strong>CSN, 106.7 The Fan</strong></td></tr> <tr><th bgcolor="silver" align="center" style="text-align: center;" colspan="3"><strong>Projected Starting Lineups</strong></th></tr> <tr> <td width="240" align="right" style="text-align: center;"><span>John Wall</span></td> <th width="20" align="center" style="text-align: center;">PG</th> <td width="240" style="text-align: center;"><span>Trey Burke</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="240" align="right" style="text-align: center;"><span>Bradley Beal</span></td> <th width="20" align="center" style="text-align: center;">SG</th> <td width="240" style="text-align: center;"><span>Gordon Hayward</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="240" align="right" style="text-align: center;"> <span></span><span>Trevor Ariza</span> </td> <th width="20" align="center" style="text-align: center;">SF</th> <td width="240" style="text-align: center;"><span>Richard Jefferson</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="240" align="right" style="text-align: center;"><span>Nene</span></td> <th width="20" align="center" style="text-align: center;">PF</th> <td width="240" style="text-align: center;"><span>Marvin Williams</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="240" align="right" style="text-align: center;"><span>Marcin Gortat</span></td> <th width="20" align="center" style="text-align: center;">C</th> <td width="240" style="text-align: center;"><span>Derrick Favors</span></td> </tr> <tr><th bgcolor="silver" align="center" style="text-align: center;" colspan="3"><strong>2013-14 Advanced Stats</strong></th></tr> <tr> <td width="240" align="right" style="text-align: center;">93.4 (17th)</td> <th width="20" align="center" style="text-align: center;">Pace</th> <td width="240" style="text-align: center;">91.9 (25th)</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="240" align="right" style="text-align: center;">104.1 (21st)</td> <th width="20" align="center" style="text-align: center;">ORtg</th> <td width="240" style="text-align: center;">102.3 (23rd)</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="240" align="right" style="text-align: center;">104.7 (10th)</td> <th width="20" align="center" style="text-align: center;">DRtg</th> <td width="240" style="text-align: center;">109.6 (29th)</td> </tr> <tr><th height="20" bgcolor="silver" style="text-align: center;" colspan="3">Also see: <a href="http://www.slcdunk.com/">SLC Dunk</a> | <a href="http://www.bulletsforever.com/2014/1/25/5344490/wizards-at-jazz-preview-is-tonight-the-night">Preview</a> </th></tr> </tbody></table>
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<p>Another .500 game! AHHHHHHHHHH CAN WE DO IT? I DON'T KNOW! LOUD NOISES! LET'S HOPE WE CAN ANYWAY AFTER A GREAT WIN IN PHOENIX LAST NIGHT WOO!</p>
<p>GO WIZARDS!</p>
https://www.bulletsforever.com/2014/1/25/5345546/wizards-at-jazz-game-time-tv-schedule-and-open-threadAmin Vafa2014-01-25T12:01:05-05:002014-01-25T12:01:05-05:00Wizards at Jazz preview: Is tonight the night?
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<figcaption>Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Washington Wizards get yet another shot at moving above .500 as they play the Jazz in Utah tonight. Here's what you need to know.</p> <p>I think this is the night. The <a href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Washington Wizards</a> have clawed their way to .500 time and time again and never quite seem to win the one game necessary to go over. Tonight, in the second game of a back to back, they play the team with the worst record in the Western Conference, the 14-29 <a href="https://www.slcdunk.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Utah Jazz</a>. Pray for pancakes.</p>
<p><b>Where and when? </b>The game is at 9 p.m. in Utah.</p>
<p><b>Are they good?</b> No, although there's definitely talent there. Utah completely tore it down last year, letting <span>Al Jefferson</span> and <span>Paul Millsap</span> walk in free agency, and have gone all in with their young core. <span>Gordon Hayward</span>, <span>Derrick Favors</span>, Alec "Don't Call Me Trey" Burks, Trey "Don't Call Me Alec" Burke and Enes "Don't Call Me Anus" Kanter, all look like potential future studs, or at the very least starting caliber players. The chemistry isn't quite there yet and they still haven't developed to the point where they can consistently play cohesive, NBA-caliber defense yet, though, so they're a really bad team. The bright side, at least from their perspective, is that in a few years and with another high lottery pick or three, they could be a championship caliber team.</p>
<p><b>Who's out?</b> Derrick Favors is questionable for tonight's game. Washington is missing #GRJR and Al "<a href="http://nbadoppelgangers.tumblr.com/post/22568866905/alharrington-donatello" target="_blank">Donatello</a>" Harrington. Martell Webster missed last night's game due to illness and there's been no word with regard to his status for tonight as of this writing.</p>
<p><b>What are they good at?</b> Uhh ... nothing? MySynergySports isn't working right now so I might be overlooking something minor, but their league rankings in almost every major statistical category are pretty bad (<a href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/UTA/2014.html" target="_blank">they're 18th in the NBA in defensive rebounding rate and offensive rebounding rate, huzzah!</a>) so there's not much good that can be said about them. Subjectively, I like their length and mobility, especially that of the wings and Favors, and they have the potential to be a very solid defensive team down the road. Kanter is the odd one out here. He's fairly slow and is nowhere near the three point shooter he was supposed to be coming into the NBA and his presence seems to be holding back the rest of the team. They'd actually likely look a lot better with someone like Nene who excels at playing positional defense, can step out onto the perimeter and defend veteran post players next to Favors.</p>
<p>Hayward also deserves some love here. He's not good enough to be the focal point of an offense but he's stepped up admirably this season and really emerged as a do-it-all offensive player who can score, pass and even hit the glass at a good rate. His game reminds me a little bit of Gallinari with better court vision and less size, and that's a very good thing.</p>
<p><b>What are they bad at?</b> Their spacing stinks. Even with <span>Marvin Williams</span> in the starting lineup as a smallball power forward, Utah still struggles to score when teams pack the paint. Burke and Burks are both making less than 35 percent of their three pointers and Hayward, the owner of one of the prettiest strokes in the NBA, is making only 32 percent. Some of this is scheme, some is a matter of talent, and some is simply a lack of consistently good point guard play. The bright side is that all of the young wings look like they should eventually develop into above average three point shooters. As they improve their off the dribble game and Favors improves as the dive man in pick and rolls, they could actually be very good one day.</p>
<p>Is Jamaal Tinsley still in the league? Not any more, but he played five games and 105 minutes this year before being let go. It's the end of an era.</p>
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<p><b>Who's going to win?</b> Washington has to get over the hump tonight. Look for Wall to dominate the smaller and less athletic Burke and for the Wizards to play off of him all night. <span>Bradley Beal</span> should also have a big game, as young teams like Utah tend to struggle to defend players who excel at cutting off the ball. If the Wizards lose, it's going to be a result of effort or some kind of freak shooting night in which someone like Hayward makes 8-10 three pointers. Even then, I think the Wizards will be able to outlast the Jazz tonight. Seriously, if they don't beat an inferior team that they match up well against, they need to start looking at making major changes to both the team and the coaching staff. Someone will need to ... wait for it ... face the music. Because they're playing the Jazz. Right?</p>
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https://www.bulletsforever.com/2014/1/25/5344490/wizards-at-jazz-preview-is-tonight-the-nightThomas Pruitt