Waiting On The Wizards: Thunder Host Washington On Monday

<p>After two days off the Thunder will be back in action on Monday night when they host the Wizards at 7 p.m. </p>

Sunday, January 31st 2016, 11:11 pm

By: Brett Coppenbarger

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Waiting On The Wizards: Thunder Host Washington On Monday

It’s feels like forever since the last time the Thunder (36-13) played, but OKC’s favorite team will finally be back in action on Monday night when they host the Washington Wizards. Here are a couple of things to know about the upcoming matchup:

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Wizards underachieving

Coming into this season there were many NBA experts who believed the Wizards were ready to make a push for the Eastern Conference crown and rival the Cavaliers as the team to beat. But three months into the season, the Wizards have yet to show they’re on the same level as the Cavs, or let alone the Raptors, Bulls, Heat, Hawks or Celtics.

There’s still plenty of season left, but the Wizards currently sit with a 21-24 record and have lost three of their last four games. They currently have the tenth best record in the East are 2.5 games back from the Pistons who sit as the No. 8 seed.

Washington has a solid lineup and should be able to make a push for a playoff spot, but they better figure out a way to string together consecutive wins if they’re going to make that happen.

Wizards head coach Randy Wittman will miss Monday night's matchup against the Thunder due to personal reasons #News9Thunder
— News 9 Sports (@News9Sport) February 1, 2016

John Wall is elite

Despite the Wizards’ less than stellar season, point guard John Wall has had a very solid season and has earned a spot on the East All-Star game roster. Averaging 19.5 points and 9.8 assists, Wall definitely belongs in the conversation of top-tier point guards, but good players can normally find a way to lead their team to victory, and Wall has yet to do that enough this season.

Russell Westbrook will need to dial in defensively on Monday night if he wants to win the 1-on-1 matchup with Wall. Opposing guards have been known to see success against OKC, and without Andre Roberson healthy to help out, the entire Thunder defense will have to come ready to play if OKC doesn’t want to get upset.

John Wall is elite

","published":"2016-02-01T05:11:20.000Z","updated":"2016-02-01T10:16:53.000Z","summary":"

After two days off the Thunder will be back in action on Monday night when they host the Wizards at 7 p.m.

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