Coming off an impressive win on Friday night, the Washington Wizards (6-25) are set to host the Atlanta Hawks (12-19) for a matinee on New Year's Eve. Here's everything you need to know.
WHERE: Capital One Arena (Washington, D.C.)
WHEN: 3:00 p.m. ET
TV: Monumental Sports Network
RADIO: Team 980 & The Wizards App
INJURY REPORT:
WIZARDS:
Danilo Gallinari (lower back spasm -- out)
Tyus Jones (left foot soreness -- questionable)
HAWKS:
Mouhamed Gueye (right low back; stress fracture -- out)
De'Andre Hunter (right knee inflammation -- out)
Seth Lundy (left ankle sprain -- out)
Onyeka Okongwu (illness -- doubtful)
Trae Young (right knee contusion -- probable)
DEFENDING THE PICK & ROLL
The Hawks have one of the league's most deadly pick-and-roll ball-handlers in Trae Young, and they love to lean into that. One of their main offensive strategies is to pick-and-roll their opponents to death. It's how they generate the majority of their halfcourt offense, and it's extremely tough to guard.
Throwing alley-oops to a rolling big man is one of Young's biggest strengths. He has the timing down perfectly and is as precise as can be. The lob threat immediately after the screen makes it hard for defenders to glue themselves onto Young as he comes off a pick. That, in turn, opens up the lane for him to score the ball.
Young leads the league in scoring as a pick-and-roll ball-handler, averaging 13.2 points per game (1.03 points per possession). Second is Luka Doncic at 11.9 points per game -- over a full point less than Young's average.
The Wizards will have to communicate effectively on the defensive end of the court in order to limit Young in the pick-and-roll.
COREY KISPERT HEATING UP
After a relatively slow start to the season, the month of December has been kind to Corey Kispert. He's found his rhythm on offense and has been a major contributor off the bench. In 13 games this month, Kispert is averaging 12.7 points on 49.2% shooting from the field and 42.1% shooting from deep in just 22.3 minutes per game.
Kispert's offensive will be pivotal for the Wizards on Sunday afternoon.
KYLE KUZMA'S CLOSING ABILITY
Despite having rough second and third quarters, Kyle Kuzma still managed to put together one of his most impressive performances of the season on Friday night. He scored nine quick points in the first quarter to help get the offense going and then went relatively cold until midway through the fourth quarter.
When Kuzma checked in with 5:39 left in the final frame, the game was tied. Just over two minutes later, the Wizards would hold their biggest lead of the game (seven points) and Kuzma would have nine quick points on 4-of-5 shooting from the field. He was getting switches and hunting mismatches immediately once he hit the floor. And best of all, he was capitalizing on the opportunities that were in front of him. Kuzma could smell the win, and he made sure to bring it home.
The Wizards will certainly look to Kuzma down the stretch again in hopes of closing out another game in front of the Wizards faithful at Capital One Arena.