Regular Season Game 62
Warriors (46-14) at Wizards (36-25)
February 28, 2018 at 8:00 PM Capital One Arena | Washington, D.C.
TV: ESPN, NBCSW
Radio: 1500 AM
Odds: GS -9.0
(Photo: Ben Margot via Associated Press)
What to Watch:
Defending Champs in Town
The Golden State Warriors are in the Nation’s Capital in what is sure to be an electric atmosphere at The Vault. This team is the best in the West, a team that has won the NBA Finals in two of the last three years. Their lineup is loaded with talent. Stephen Curry, NBA MVP in 2015 and 2016. The other splash brother Klay Thompson. Kevin Durant, 2017 NBA Finals MVP. Andre Iguodala, 2015 NBA Finals MVP. Draymond Green as well as even former Wizards JaVale McGee and Nick Young. Now that is a solid cast of characters.
(Photo: Mike Ehrmann via Getty Images)
Key Matchup:
Tomas Satoransky vs. Stephen Curry
Satoransky has done a great job filling in for John Wall. In his 12 starts at point guard, Sato has averaged 11.5 points per game, 6.1 assists per game, and 3.5 rebounds per game. On Jan. 30 he held reigning MVP Russell Westbrook to just 13 points. On Wednesday night, he’ll go up against a two-time MVP and champion, which will be by far his biggest challenge to date.
Curry looks to lead the Warriors to their second straight NBA title. Curry averages 26.8 points per game, 6.5 assists per game, and 5.3 rebounds per game. Curry is dangerous when he shoots, with a quick elevation and an even quicker release. He averages 43.7 percent from downtown.
X-Factor:
Kelly Oubre Jr.
The Wizards blew an 18-point lead in their first meeting with the Warriors back in late October in Oakland, but one of their best performers in that contest was Oubre. He scored 19 points including four three-pointers. 14 of those points came in the first half. At the time, the 19 points tied a career-high while the four three-pointers became a career-high. The Wave Papi has since broke those marks.
He had a good showing on Sunday night against the 76ers with, ironically enough, 19 points and four three-pointers. Shaq mentioned on TNT last week that the Wizards will go as far as Kelly Oubre takes them and the waviest player in the league will need to have another good showing on the court and his energy in the huddle on Wednesday night.
Fun Factor:
Kevin Durant Homecoming, Take Two
For the second time since the summer of 2016 that saw Kevin Durant end up with the Warriors instead of the Wizards, the Prince George’s County native heads home. KD is still a legend in these streets and is even a diehard Redskins fan. There will be a ton of fans and maybe even some family members and friends in the stands.
When he last came to Capital One Arena, things did not go according to plan in his homecoming as he left the game in the first five minutes with an injury. Now he gets another chance to shine in front of his hometown crowd.
(Photo: Redskins.com)
Prediction:
It may feel like a road atmosphere with a lot of bandwagons in the stands so one would expect a hostile environment that would run the Wizards off of the court. I beg to differ though. It’s a national television game and they are taking on the defending champs. I have absolutely no doubt the Wizards will get up for this game. It will be close, scoring will be at a premium, but the Wizards will come out on top.