{"id":702383,"date":"2026-04-07T01:56:33","date_gmt":"2026-04-07T01:56:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/702383\/"},"modified":"2026-04-07T01:56:33","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T01:56:33","slug":"nets-vs-wizards-preview-a-matinee-at-barclays","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/702383\/","title":{"rendered":"Nets vs. Wizards preview: A matinee at Barclays"},"content":{"rendered":"

Time keeps on ticking, ticking, into the future. The Brooklyn Nets are speeding towards the end of the season and the start of their real season. With that in mind, they opened the month of April with a 34-point loss <\/a>to the Atlanta Hawks.<\/p>\n

The opponent tonight is focusing on the Draft as well. The Washington Wizards are winding their season down and were in Florida to face the Miami Heat yesterday. As expected, the Wizards lost<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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At the moment<\/a>, the Wizards hold the top lottery odds, a half-game ahead of the Nets and Pacers who are tied for second. Brooklyn has a growing if not yet comfortable lead over fourth place Utah. The Jazz are 2.5 games back of the Nets with five to go. Should teams tie, the lottery odds would be divided equally between or among the bottom teams.<\/p>\n

Where to follow the game<\/p>\n

YES Network on TV. Gotham Sports on streaming. WFAN on radio.<\/p>\n

Injuries<\/p>\n

The following are out:<\/p>\n

Noah Clowney is questionable and Terance Mann is probable. Malachi Smith will be celebrating his new, two year (non-guaranteed) deal and the three two-ways will be available from here on out, with the Long Island Nets season over.<\/p>\n

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The following are out:<\/p>\n

This is night two of a back-to-back for the Capital city crew so don\u2019t be surprised if we see some more additions prior to gametime.<\/p>\n

The game<\/p>\n

Brooklyn won the first <\/a>and third <\/a>meetings while the Wizards took the second<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Hall of Fame class of 2026, and Washington Mystics legend Elena Delle Donne is one of this year\u2019s inductees<\/a>! Salute to her.<\/p>\n

This one has a lot of stakes attached to it. These teams are at the top of the Tankathon <\/a>standings and a win for the Wizards would tie the season series and tie their records at 18-60.<\/p>\n

Even in a lost season, young players have plenty to play for. They\u2019re playing for their current jobs, next destinations, and professional pride. There\u2019s always something to play for when you\u2019re trying to prove yourself, and every game is an opportunity to get better. For the Wizards, Jamir Watkins might be someone they think about keeping on the team next season. From Harrison Hamm at Bullets Forever<\/a>:<\/p>\n

Like most rookies, he has areas where his feel will improve and he can match his boundless athleticism with technique. He has an inclination toward gambling. Sometimes, he relies a little too much on his own athleticism \u2014 letting guys drive, then trusting himself to make an unlikely recovery. His off-ball recognition will get better with experience.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m most intrigued by his rim protection upside. As good as he is at blowing plays up and forcing turnovers, he can get better at understanding when guys like to get their shots off, and how he can generate a quality contest.<\/p>\n

Gotta keep making the most of your time.<\/p>\n

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Speaking of making the most of your time, Malachi Smith shined in his 17 minutes. The rookie guard scored 15 points off the bench and has likely earned himself a bigger role over the next few games. He\u2019s got a new contract <\/a>and some much needed security going forward. When you push yourself and work hard, good things happen.<\/p>\n

This one could get a bit sloppy. Both of these teams are in the bottom third of the league in turnover rate and with the Wizards on night two of a back-to-back and playing a day game, they won\u2019t be at full strength. It won\u2019t be a pretty watch so hopefully these teams exceed everyone\u2019s minimal expectations.<\/p>\n

Player to watch: Julian Reese<\/p>\n

Like we mentioned earlier, the end of the season can be an opportunity for a young player to find themselves. Similar to his sister Angel, Julian Reese has been a rebounding machine since joining the Wizards. He\u2019s impressed teammates and given the fans something fun to watch as we wind down the season. Reese\u2019s friendships with members of the team go back some years and there\u2019s a belief in him and what he can do.<\/p>\n

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\u201cWe already kind of click well \u2014 I think it\u2019s just the single fact, no one else on this team kind of knew Ju\u2019s strengths like I did because I\u2019ve seen it before,\u201d Bub Carrington<\/a> said. \u201cHe\u2019s been showing that he\u2019s a league big. He\u2019s proof that it don\u2019t matter how long you played in college. If you\u2019re good at basketball, you prove it every night.\u201d<\/p>\n

Whoever controls the boards will likely win this one. Both of these teams are bottom of the league in rebounds so whoever completes possessions will be in position to walk away with the win. With the Nets frontcourt as decimated as it is, it\u2019s going to take a team effort on the boards to compete.<\/p>\n

From the Vault<\/p>\n

It\u2019s National Championship time!<\/p>\n

More reading: Bullets Forever<\/a>, SB Nation NBA<\/a>,\u00a0New York Post<\/a>,\u00a0New York Daily News<\/a>,\u00a0Clutch Points<\/a>,\u00a0Nets Wire<\/a>,\u00a0Steve\u2019s Newsletter<\/a><\/p>\n

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