Preview: Clippers at Wizards
The Washington Wizards are experiencing a horrific season, and underlying tension is beginning to erupt. The Wizards host the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday, one day after it was reported that star point guard John Wall uttered profanities at coach Scott Brooks during a recent practice.
Wall apologized to Brooks and his teammates for his actions, but reports have begun circulating that the Wizards are open to trading Wall or shooting guard Bradley Beal. Wall's four-year, $171 million contract extension begins next season while Beal is in the third year of a five-year, $127 million deal. The Clippers are on the other side of the equation as Monday's 127-119 victory in Atlanta prompted coach Doc Rivers to say "this is a really fun team to coach." Los Angeles has won five straight contests and seven of its last eight as it surprisingly is tied for the best record in the Western Conference.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, Prime Ticket (Los Angeles), NBCS Washington
ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (11-5): Los Angeles overcame a 15-point, second-half deficit to defeat the Hawks with backup forward Montrezl Harrell (25 points, 11 rebounds) and starting forward Tobias Harris (24 points) leading the way. Harrell has been a surprise force as he has registered three 20-point efforts in his last five games, averaging 20.8 points and 8.8 rebounds during the stretch. Shooting guard Avery Bradley (ankle) returned from a six-game absence and scored five points on 2-of-7 shooting in 20 minutes.
ABOUT THE WIZARDS (5-11): Washington has lost its last two games and dug itself into a 32-12 hole and never led during Sunday's 119-109 home loss to Portland. "We've got to just play with more enthusiasm, more effort, more energy," Brooks told reporters of the club's latest poor showing. "That's embarrassing." Wall was on the same page with Brooks when it came to the lackluster performance, saying "you can't teach effort. You can't teach heart."
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Clippers have won six of their last eight meetings, including a 136-104 home rout of the Wizards on Oct. 28.
2. Washington C Dwight Howard aggravated a buttocks injury on Sunday and is questionable.
3. Los Angeles F Danilo Gallinari (illness) sat out against the Hawks and is questionable for Tuesday.
PREDICTION: Clippers 118, Wizards 113
The Washington Wizards are experiencing a horrific season, and underlying tension is beginning to erupt. The Wizards host the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday, one day after it was reported that star point guard John Wall uttered profanities at coach Scott Brooks during a recent practice.
Wall apologized to Brooks and his teammates for his actions, but reports have begun circulating that the Wizards are open to trading Wall or shooting guard Bradley Beal. Wall's four-year, $171 million contract extension begins next season while Beal is in the third year of a five-year, $127 million deal. The Clippers are on the other side of the equation as Monday's 127-119 victory in Atlanta prompted coach Doc Rivers to say "this is a really fun team to coach." Los Angeles has won five straight contests and seven of its last eight as it surprisingly is tied for the best record in the Western Conference.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, Prime Ticket (Los Angeles), NBCS Washington
ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (11-5): Los Angeles overcame a 15-point, second-half deficit to defeat the Hawks with backup forward Montrezl Harrell (25 points, 11 rebounds) and starting forward Tobias Harris (24 points) leading the way. Harrell has been a surprise force as he has registered three 20-point efforts in his last five games, averaging 20.8 points and 8.8 rebounds during the stretch. Shooting guard Avery Bradley (ankle) returned from a six-game absence and scored five points on 2-of-7 shooting in 20 minutes.
ABOUT THE WIZARDS (5-11): Washington has lost its last two games and dug itself into a 32-12 hole and never led during Sunday's 119-109 home loss to Portland. "We've got to just play with more enthusiasm, more effort, more energy," Brooks told reporters of the club's latest poor showing. "That's embarrassing." Wall was on the same page with Brooks when it came to the lackluster performance, saying "you can't teach effort. You can't teach heart."
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Clippers have won six of their last eight meetings, including a 136-104 home rout of the Wizards on Oct. 28.
2. Washington C Dwight Howard aggravated a buttocks injury on Sunday and is questionable.
3. Los Angeles F Danilo Gallinari (illness) sat out against the Hawks and is questionable for Tuesday.
PREDICTION: Clippers 118, Wizards 113