This week...

• Wizards go 3-0 on the road extending winning streak to 5

• Everyone has a theory on the streak...and so does Zaz

• Why the Wizards chose Deni over Rui

• Our picks for Rui's top 3 moments in a Wizards uniform

• Play of the week

Weekly Recap 

Final scores

Wizards 127 *126 Mavericks  (Tuesday): 

Good win overall, given the fact that KP is out and it was the first the game the Wiz played without Rui. 

Wizards came out strong, shooting 57.5% from the field. Everyone was contributing with Beal leading the way with 11pts while the bench brought in 26 combined. Wizards were up 65-60 at the half.

Kuz went off for 24 points in the second half shooting 52% while Brad ended the game with 22. Deni and Delon brought the defensive spark combining for 6 steals (3 each) while Kispert made 2 timely 3s when you felt the game was slipping away.    

Beal made some big plays down the stretch despite one TO that really could have cost us the Wizards the game. Delon Wright came in clutch with the steal that ended the Mavs.  Check out the last 2 minutes of the game in the video below. 

Wizards 108 * Rockets 103 (Wednesday)

The Wizards were down by 15 points at halftime and trailed by as many as 19 but recovered in the second half thanks to Kyle Kuzma’s 20-point fourth quarter on his way to 33 for the night. 

Daniel Gafford actually managed to stay out of foul trouble and play 32 minutes. We finally got a chance to see how much of a difference maker he can be when he's in the game longer.   He had four blocks and eight rebounds but his contesting shots and keeping possessions alive are what you won't see on the stat sheet.  

Beal managed to also get some timely baskets to help close out the game.  This game should have been an easy win but the Wizard's managed to keep it interesting.

Wizards 113 * Pelicans 103 (Saturday)

Solid TEAM win! Wizards pretty much held control for the whole game with everybody doing their part. Gafford had another good game, leading the way with 21 points + 12 rebounds.

The game could have slipped away towards the end of the  4th but Beal brought out the superstar juice and made some very timely shots. Good revenge win after falling to the short handed Pelicans a few weeks ago. 

Everyone has a theory….

As we monitor the Wizard’s chatter across social media, one popular topic is the current five-game winning streak.  Fans are speculating with various theories:

• The recent trade (although the streak started prior to that)

• Beal’s return to the lineup

• Deni’s improved play

• Delon’s defensive presence

Although I think some of these are definitely contributing reasons, one factor I haven’t really seen discussed is what my boy Mike talked about in one of our prior weekly editions: EASE OF SCHEDULE. 

Two of the wins were against tankathon teams - the Magic and Rockets.  The Valanciunas ejection in 2nd quarter of last night’s game was really helpful, (boy he ate our lunch last time if you remember), and with no Zion. We can argue that the wins vs. the Knicks and Mavs were quality ones. 

For the record, the biggest thing that stood out to me was having Bradley back.  Kuzma will get his but with Beal we have another player who can get clutch buckets, just like that big three against the Mavs down the stretch.  Although I think KP is a better overall scorer, I’d rather have Beal with the ball when the defense locks down.

Why the Wizards chose Deni over Rui

In his most direct and telling interview this week, Tommy Sheppard made it very clear that Deni Advija was the primary reason behind Rui's trade to the Lakers.  

Why did the Wizards choose Deni over Rui? The answer is defense. Here are some key quotes from Sheppards interview:

"When we really looked at what we needed it was to get Deni more responsibility and more opportunities to play."

"Sometime you make moves to open more playing time for players on your roster...Getting more minutes from Deni Avdija...was a big reason behind this trade."

"Defensively, I think he (Deni) is one of our best defenders. Certainly, point pick and rolls he is one of the best in the league".

On offense, Sheppard thinks the Wizards are in a good place which also explains why Rui was the one to move on.

"The points will come, we score points, with KP without KP, with Brad without Brad...scoring is not the problem (but) we got to stop the other team from scoring and we need more defense out there."  

You can check out Tommy Sheppards full interview below:

As we say goodbye to Rui Hachimura, we figured it only fitting to countdown what we consider his top 3 moment in a Wizards uniform. Enjoy!

3. Rui destroys Isiah Stewart at the rim and gets a tech after his reaction. MUST WATCH!

2. Rui hits a dagger 3 in Game 4 against the 76ers keeping the Wizards playoff hopes alive (2021). 

1.Rui ends Anthony Davis...

Best of luck Rui!

Upcoming Schedule for next week:

• Monday: Wizards vs Spurs, Jan. 30th @ 8:00pm (Spurs are the second worst team in the West so we should win this one)

• Wednesday: Wizards vs Pistons, Feb. 1st @7pm (Pistons are the worst team in the East with only 13 wins)

• Friday: Wizards vs Blazers, Feb. 3rd @ 7pm (Josh Hart & Jusuf Turkic likely out)

• Saturday: Wizards vs Nets. Feb. 4th @ 6pm (KD still out but Kyrie has been carrying the load for Brooklyn)

Play of the week...

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Have a great week!