Washington Wizards 2020 Restart Preview - NBA Odds, Picks & Betting Predictions

At the time the NBA regular season was suspended on March 12th, the Washington Wizards were in ninth place in the Eastern Conference with an overall record of 24-40 and will be one of nine teams from the conference restarting their schedule on July 31. The Wizards at home this season  are 16-16 and on the road a disastrous 8-24.  All NBA games will be played in Orlando when the season restarts and the Wizards look to improve their position to reach the postseason.

When the season was suspended, the leading scorer for the Wizards was Bradley Beal with an average of 30.5 points per game and the star guard also was Washington's leader in assists with an average of 6.1 per game. Troy Brown was leading the Wizards in rebounding with an average of 5.3 per game and was the leader in steals as well with an average of 1.2 per game. Washington has 8 players averaging double-figures in scoring through 64 games played. 

Washington was the only team from the Eastern Conference that was not in the top 8 in the conference standings to be invited to Orlando. The Wizards were supposed to rebuild this season after losing star guard John Wall to Achilles tendon surgery and several player changes due to salary cap issues. Bradley Beal has been the star for Wizards averaging just over 30 points per game. Although Washington can still make the playoffs they would have to win at least two games or more than either the Orlando Magic or Brooklyn Nets which will be no easy task.

The biggest problem the Wizards faced all season through 64 games was their lack of defense. Washington has the worst overall defense in the NBA and is allowing an average of 119.7 points per game. Part of that problem is due to a lack of rebounding on the defensive end as the Wizards are averaging just 41.7 rebounds overall per game and only 31.6 per game on the defensive end. Washington has one of the best offenses in the NBA, but as long as the defense continues to be as porous as it was the first 64 games Washington will fail to qualify for the postseason.

Although not much was expected of the Wizards this season, Washington maintains a slight hope of reaching the postseason when play restarts on July 31. However, the likelihood that the Wizards will reach the NBA postseason is remote and Washington is likely looking to next season as John Wall will return from Achilles surgery and the club will add players through trades, free agency and the draft. Do not expect Washington to reach the postseason following the restart.