The Wizards (10-8) lost an intense game to the Heat (8-11) in Miami on Wednesday evening. Tonight, just 48 hours later, they have a chance to get even as they battle each other once again. Here's everything you need to know, as well as three things to watch in tonight's matchup.
WHERE: Miami, Florida
WHEN: 8:00 p.m. ET
TV: NBC Sports Washington
RADIO: The Team 980 & The Wizards App
INJURY REPORT:
WIZARDS:
Delon Wright (right hamstring strain -- out)
Bradley Beal (right thigh contusion -- questionable)
Monte Morris (right ankle soreness -- questionable)
Rui Hachimura (right ankle soreness -- questionable)
Johnny Davis (right groin soreness -- questionable)
HEAT:
Bam Adebayo (left knee contusion -- probable)
Jimmy Butler (right knee soreness -- out)
Dewayne Dedmon (left foot; plantar fascitis -- questionable)
Tyler Herro (left ankle sprain -- questionable)
Haywood Highsmith (right hip inflammation -- probable)
Victor Oladipo (left knee tendinosis -- out)
Duncan Robinson (left ankle sprain -- doubtful)
Max Strus (right shoulder impingement -- doubtful)
Gabe Vincent (left knee effusion -- questionable)
Omer Yurtseven (left ankle surgery -- out)
DENI AVDIJA'S AGGRESSION ON OFFENSE
In his third NBA season, Deni Avdija has been one of the team's best defenders, tasked with guarding the opponent's best perimeter players night in and night out. Now, he's settling into his offensive game.
Avdija has scored in double figures in six of the Wizards' last seven games, averaging just over 12 points per game to go along with six rebounds and four assists. He's doing a great job of attacking the rim, staying active off the ball, creating shots for others, and being an all-around threat on that side of the floor.
Avdija's nice play as of late was highlighted Wednesday evening against the Heat when he notched 12 points on 5-of-10 shooting from the field, a career-high 10 assists, and nine rebounds, nearly slotting his first career triple-double.
With the Heat's stingy defense, Avdija's offensive aggression will be key for the Wizards.
CONTROLLING THE PAINT
The Wizards have been hovering in the middle of the league in points in the paint (PITP) this season. They're averaging 49.2 PITP, good for 16th in the Association. The Heat are well below them at 25th in the league, averaging 44.5.
Defensively is where both of these teams shine with regard to controlling the paint. They're dead-even for fifth-best in the league, both allowing only 45.4 PITP per game.
Tonight, one of these elite paint defenses will have to bend. Keep an eye on how each team is generating looks in the paint, even when it doesn't result in a direct paint basket. The Wizards have preached all season long how important it is for their offense to get two feet in the paint and make the correct read from there. The Heat won't make that easy.
KYLE KUZMA'S RELENTLESS RIM ATTACKS
Kyle Kuzma will be one of the biggest factors in tonight's battle. This season, he's been struggling with his 3-point shot, shooting a career-low 30 percent from behind the arc, but is still scoring a career-high 19.8 points per game. How? Putting never-ending pressure on the rim.
Kuzma is shooting an efficient 57.9 percent from two this season and getting to the free-throw line at a career-best rate. Against Miami on Wednesday, he scored a game-high 33 points despite shooting 2-of-13 from deep thanks to his efficient scoring around the rim. He shot 11-of-14 on 2-point field goals and got to the free-throw line seven times. It was a sensational display of how to score when your deep ball isn't falling.
If the Wizards are able to come away with a win tonight on the road in Miami, there's a good chance Kuzma's attacks on the rim had something to do with it.