On The Road vs. In Our House

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We're 12-12 on the road -- that's way better than I would have predicted, and I'm going to guess that it's better than most of the rest of us would have expected too.

It's terrific, in fact. Only 3 other NBA teams have better road records than home: SA, Memphis, and Detroit (weirdly, Memphis and Detroit are much better on the road than at home).

Any thoughts on why we're having more success away from home? Nivek -- you've noted that so far we've played the 4th easiest schedule of any team, something like that anyway -- has our road schedule been easier than our home schedule?

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(Here's a little reality check, btw: were we in the Western Conference, and were the playoffs decided only based on road records, we'd be at #9 -- on the outside looking in -- despite our successes away from home. Wow, the West is *a lot* better than the East!)

[queridiculo]

The fundamental issue with this team struggling doesn't appear to have anything to do with where they're playing but how.

When you look at where the team is defensively, they've made a considerable leap from where they started.

They're currently ranked 12th in the league in points surrendered, and are tied with Dallas for 7th in field goal attempts against.

Oddly enough despite those favorable rankings the Wizards allow teams to shoot .461 from the field (.510 efg), firmly planting them among the worst teams in the league.

Looking at the rebounding statistics I don't see anything that would account for that difference, Washington typically wins the offensive rebounding battle.

What I think is happening with the Wizards is that their game is so reliant on jump shots in the half court set that they invite teams to take advantage of the Wizards in transition by scoring in the paint, and by getting to the line against an unsettled defense.

Looking at the box scores in the home losses against Philadelphia, Cleveland, Detroi, Milkwaukee, Dallas, Boston and Toronto, the thing that consistently stands out is the free throw and FG% differential.

It doesn't help that when Washington does get to the line, they're ranked in the bottom third converting on those opportunities.

Judging by some of the losses the Wizards have endured I don't think it's a stretch to say that the Wizards are underachieving, and I think it's in large part because they're playing a losing brand of basketball, often taking long shots and not putting enough pressure on the defense by attacking them inside.

[Higga]

Seems like we play better D on the road. More focus and intensity. At home we try too hard to put on a show for the fans.

Weird though. We were always a pretty respectable home team and awful road team, now we've flip flopped. Hopefully we can reclaim our past success at the Phone Booth.