Washington Wizards: Mahinmi injury, Charles Barkley conspiracy, NBA playoffs and much more
The latest Washington Wizards news includes the regular season finale against the Miami Heat as they go for win No. 50, Charles Barkley reveals conspiracy during NBA on TNT, updated playoff picture and much more.
The Washington Wizards 21-year-old guard Bradley Beal showed flashes of greatness in Monday’s victory over the Detriot Pistons in the final game at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Beal started the game red-hot, shooting 6-for-8 from the field for 15 points and launching the Wizards to a commanding 34-21 first quarter lead.
With All-Star guard John Wall sidelined with a sore quad, Beal continued to carry the Wizards to their 49th win of the season, finishing with 33 points and 33 minutes of play to propel the Wizards past the Pistons 105-101.
Watch the video below of Beal’s awe-inspiring performance in Monday’s win over the Pistons:
Markieff Morris, who has a twin brother on the Detriot Pistons, scored 20 points with eight rebounds Monday night. Morris was recognized for his dominant performance against Pistons rookie Henry Ellenson and shared his thoughts with CSN’s J. Michael after the game on playing against Ellenson in the future.
Also, with Wall out with a sore quad, rookie guard Tomas Satoransky scored 11 points, one point shy of matching his career high.
Washington Wizards Ian Mahinmi injury
Washington Wizards center Ian Mahinmi suffered a calf strain Monday night against the Pistons when he landed awkwardly after contesting a shot from Pistons’ Ish Smith.
According to The Washington Post’s Candace Buckner, Mahinmi had crutches by his locker following the game. However, Mahinmi revealed to Buckner that his crutches are for precautionary reasons and was relieved to learn strain wasn’t severe.
Just talked to Mahinmi, he said crutches are precautionary & once he got back into locker room he was relieved to learn strain wasn't as bad
— Candace Buckner (@CandaceDBuckner) April 11, 2017
With nothing to gain besides 50 wins for the season, expect Washington Wizards head coach Scott Brooks to hold out Mahinmi for the season finale Wednesday night as they prepare for the NBA playoffs.
Brooks says he probably will hold out Mahinmi and "a lot of guys" v Miami #WizPistons #WASatDET
— J. Michael (@ThisIsJMichael) April 11, 2017
The Charles Barkley conspiracy
Monday night’s game between the Wizards and Pistons was a nationally televised game on TNT, which means insights from basketball Hall of Famer Charles Barkley.
His larger-than-life temperament didn’t fail to amuse during Monday night’s NBA on TNT program as he proposed the notion that the Cleveland Cavaliers would rather be the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference rather than the top seed. Why? Because the Cavaliers want to avoid playing the feisty Wizards in the first two rounds of the NBA playoffs.
Here’s the full clip below:
Dating back to the start of the 2015-16 season, the Cavaliers have defeated the Wizards in four of their seven games played.
2017 NBA Eastern Conference playoff picture
Few things already determined for the Wizards heading into the 2017 NBA Playoffs:
- Locked-in at the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference
- Home court advantage in the first round
- Will play either the Atlanta Hawks or Milwaukee Bucks in first round
Entering the final days of the regular season, various seedings have yet to be determined in the Eastern Conference. Despite being just a game behind the Toronto Raptors for the No. 3 seed in the East, the Toronto Raptors owns the tiebreaker, making the Wizards and the 4-seed an official match.
Must Read: Sign petition to keep Phil Chenier as Wizards game analyst
The Wizards playoff opponent is yet to be determined, but we do know that it’ll be either the Hawks or Bucks. According to Inpredictable.com, the Hawks have a 95 percent chance at the No. 5 seed and a diminutive five percent chance at the seventh seed in the East in some bizarre scenario. On the other hand, Inpredictable.com gives the Bucks just a five percent chance at the No. 5 seed and a first-round matchup against the Wizards.
On the other hand, Inpredictable.com gives the Bucks just a five percent chance at the No. 5 seed and a first-round matchup against the Wizards.
Below is an image of the 2017 NBA playoffs bracket if the season were to end today:
Heading into the final days of the #NBA season, this is the current playoff picture.pic.twitter.com/vicx8wNcNv
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) April 10, 2017
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At 49 wins on the season, the Wizards will look to win 50 games in a single season for the first time since 1979. The task doesn’t come easy as they’ll travel to the sunshine state to play the Miami Heat, a team that must win in order of securing a spot in the NBA playoffs.