Archived: NBA Bubble: Wizards vs 76ers Free Pick & Preview
August 5, 2020
https://www.hankwins.com/nba-bubble-wizards-vs-76ers-free-pick-preview/
Washington’s journey is about growth
Even tough making the playoffs are out of the question for the Wizards, they are still committed to using the Orlando bubble experiment as an opportunity to give quality minutes and experience to their young players. There was never any legitimate hope of them cracking the postseason without star guard Bradley Beal on the floor.
Yet, his injury absence has opened the door for guys like Troy Brown Jr. and Jerome Robinson to flash their potential. Center Thomas Bryant is also coming up big with an average 20 points and 10.3 rebounds since the restart. His biggest test comes in the form of Sixers center Joel Embiid on Wednesday. Playing against Embiid, a three-time NBA All-Star and two-time member of the All-Defensive Second Team, will present a herculean challenge and invaluable learning experience.
Without Beal on the floor, the Wizards have lost a significant chunk of their offensive explosion. Despite boasting one of the worst defenses in the league, they made up for it with a top-10 scoring offense. Much of that was made possible by the fact that Beal was averaging a ridiculous 30.5 points per game. That sort of offensive production can’t be replaced, and the lack of defensive efficiency coupled with that problem makes winning even harder.
The Orlando bubble might as well be treated as a summer camp for the Wizards.
TRENDS
- 76ers are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games following an ATS loss.
- Wizards are 3-7-1 ATS in their last 11 games following a double-digit loss at home.
- Wizards are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
- Wizards are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
- Wizards are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.