5 Questions Ahead of Spurs vs. Wizards

The San Antonio Spurs are conquering the third leg of a four-game road trip tonight in the nation's capital against the Washington Wizards.

To learn more about the Spurs' opponent heading into tonight's game, we spoke with Inside the Wizards publisher Candi Waller.

1. The Wizards are on the outside looking in for the playoff picture. What do you think their chances are of making the play-in if they win tonight?

With injuries to both Bradley Beal (left knee soreness) and Kyle Kuzma (right ankle sprain), the push for the play-in seems slim. A win tonight certainly helps with that push but without Beal and Kuzma at 100% it will be tough. The Wizards currently sit at 12th in the Eastern Conference. The rest of the Wizards schedule includes the Bucks, Celtics, Heat, and Knicks who are all comfortably in the playoff picture. It will be hard for them to make the play-in with their current seeding and remaining schedule.

2. The Wizards have lost their last four games. Why have they struggled as of late?

Injuries which cause a rotating roster. Without the consistent roster, it’s truly hard to keep up with adjustments. The team also seems to be a bit fatigued. The season is long for sure, but in clutch moments, ball handling is sloppy and overall concentration appears to dwindle which causes too many turnovers. This is something to keep an eye on.

3. Apart from Kristaps Porzingis and Bradley Beal, who has been the most impressive Wizard lately?

This answer may surprise most but I am going to give this to rookie Johnny Davis. Davis is not scoring many points nightly, however, he is showing a ton of confidence out there. The nerves he displayed early on are gone. We’re seeing him play defense aggressively and being un-afraid of taking shots. He’s getting after it out there which is good to finally see.

4. If the Wizards lose tonight, what would be the reason?

No Kyle Kuzma and Bradley Beal. They set the tone for the team on offense most of the time so it will be interesting to see how the team responds in front of the home crowd not having them out there again.

5. What's your prediction for the game?

Wizards – 110, Spurs - 105

You can follow Jeremy Brener on Twitter @JeremyBrener.

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