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It's odd to say this already, but this is really a key matchup in the playoff race. We can assume that, by the end of the season, Miami, Philly, and Brooklyn will almost surely be top 6 seeds and out of the Play-In Tournament. Chicago looks like they'll avoid the play-in as well. I think Milwaukee will also avoid it once they get Middleton back. That leaves just one spot in the top 6 left. There are a ton of teams vying for the spot including us, Charlotte, New York, Cleveland, Boston, Atlanta and Toronto. Any win against one of those teams is doubly important because it inflicts a loss on our competition.

To rift off nate's post, this is the start of a fairly significant stretch of games. Four straight against divisional opponents with a CHA-MIA sandwich (@CHA, @MIA, MIA, CHA) then a four game road swing against all but one (Memphis) Southwest division foe. Team is going to really need to lock in and we'll really need Beal to take some pressure off an at times lethargic offense.

Charlotte is just coming off a big win versus GS, so we should expect them to be playing well, where at home they've played much better this season. I do think CHA somewhat plays into our strengths as a defense being that they are very perimeter oriented, but we are going to have to take care of the ball because we do not want them running against us given there talent in the backcourt and wings. They are amongst the worst defenses thus far giving up the most PPG in the league, but have done better in their recent 3 game winning streak including holding GS to only 102 points. Regardless, we should exploit their interior defense as much as possible. Will be interesting to see how both Trez and Gafford perform, because we should have a clear advantage there.

CntOutSmrtCrazy wrote:Charlotte is just coming off a big win versus GS, so we should expect them to be playing well, where at home they've played much better this season. I do think CHA somewhat plays into our strengths as a defense being that they are very perimeter oriented, but we are going to have to take care of the ball because we do not want them running against us given there talent in the backcourt and wings. They are amongst the worst defenses thus far giving up the most PPG in the league, but have done better in their recent 3 game winning streak including holding GS to only 102 points. Regardless, we should exploit their interior defense as much as possible. Will be interesting to see how both Trez and Gafford perform, because we should have a clear advantage there.

Good stuff here. I agree with all of it. I think, on paper, the matchups favor us. But we will need Beal to break out of his slump.

Charlotte has always given us problems. Let's get this dub before a character testing double date with the Heat.

I think that as good as we have been, we will soon take it to another level. I'm guessing that Brad's grandmother didn't pass suddenly. She's probably been ill the whole season and he seems really close to her so I could see that effecting his play so far along with just being out of rhythm and finding his way with a whole new lineup. I also think that he still wants to be an All Star and yea he's all for winning but he wants to win while being considered the guy who is leading a great team. Either way, I think his TS will take off from here on.

I watched the Knicks and GS play in Charlotte. It was playoff intensity. I expect this and the Heat games to be the same. Time to see if we are legit. I think that these games will be physical

They have a player who has the kind of physical intensity and skill level that Trez has, but he starts out from the perimeter.

Yea bridges is a monster and he has great chemistry with with Melo. Don't let him get any highlight reel plays because the crowd will go nuts

FAH1223 wrote:Will Trez kill the 27th ranked team in defensive efficiency in the paint??

Why yes - yes he will. He'll get 26 and 12 off the bench. This is a very good matchup for Trezw.

Wiz gotta play their solid defensive game and hit open 3's - everyone eats.

ducler wrote:

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The Buzzers have a pretty dang talented starting 5

Wizards being smart going inside to Gafford thus far, just need to grab rebounds right now.

On another note, Lamelo takes some awful shots.

Wtf is Brad doing

Beal's shot is becoming very concerning.

Jimmy Recard wrote:Wtf is Brad doing

Dribbling

Jimmy Recard wrote:Wtf is Brad doing

He’s having an underwhelming season so far. Hopefully this is temporary slump he’ll quickly recover from.

Rebounding has been an issue so far. Granted, there have been some weird bounces.

Deni's defense yo. Even on that Oubre drive was great despite the make.

Good start for Kispert, playing with a lot more poise.

Avdija, sheesh. Who is this guy?

Guys need to stop trying to go at Deni