The Washington Wizards (12-21 SU, 12-18-3 ATS) end their six-game road trip when they meet Sacramento (17-13 SU, 19-11 ATS) on Friday night at 10pmET from Golden 1 Center.
These teams met twice last season with the Kings winning both games and covering as a small favorite and dog.
Washington broke a 10-game losing streak with a 113-110 win over Phoenix on the road on Dec. 20. They were hoping to start a winning streak on Thursday when they met Utah, but were missing Kristaps Porzingis (illness) and Deni Avdija (back). Brad Beal scored 30 points in 31 minutes and Kyle Kuzma added 21 points, but that wasn't enough as the Jazz beat the Wizards 120-112.
Washington shot 56.1% from the field, but just 33.3% from beyond the arc. The Wiz are shooting 34.7% (18th) from beyond the arc and allowing opponents to shoot 37.5% (28th) from three-point range. Defending the three and shooting the three-point shot has been an issue for years with this team.
CUS ONE ANGLE JUST ISN'T ENOUGH FOR THIS ONE ????? pic.twitter.com/yOMdB54asD
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) December 23, 2022
Another issue has been their identity. Are they a team competing for a playoff spot or is it better to trade some veterans for younger players and/or draft picks. Kuzma (21.5ppg, 7.6rpg, 3.5apg) is one of those players who could be dealt shortly, but he's been solid for the Wiz so far. The problem for Washington is that they have no balance after Beal (23.4ppg), Porzingis (22.4ppg) and Kuzma. Their bench has been dreadful in the first 1/3 of the season. Their defense also hasn't been great as they rank 24th in Defensive Rating according to DunksandThrees.com.
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