The Washington Wizards will make history this Thursday against the Boston Celtics. It’s just not the type of history you want to make if you’re an NBA franchise.
David Payne Purdum of ESPN pointed out that Washington is a 14-point underdog this evening against Boston. That’s a massive point spread considering the Wizards are at home.
According to ESPN Stats & Info, the Wizards are the biggest underdog for a home opener in the last 35 seasons. That’s not what you want to hear if you’re a fan in the nation’s capital.
To be fair, this is a serious mismatch between the Celtics and Wizards. The defending champions flexed their muscles on Tuesday night, dismantling the New York Knicks at home.
Every starter for the Celtics stepped up in their home opener, but it was Jayson Tatum who really set the tone. The All-Star forward had 37 points, 10 assists and four rebounds. Finals MVP Jaylen Brown had 23 points, Derrick White had 24 points, and Jrue Holiday chipped in with 18 points.
The Wizards, meanwhile, aren’t really sure what to expect from their starting lineup. Sure, players like Kyle Kuzma and Jordan Poole could go off at any moment, but they’re not nearly as reliable as Brown and Tatum.
Wizards fans will want to at least see some potential from Alex Sarr, the No. 2 pick from this year’s draft. If he develops into a playmaker, that’ll speed up the franchise’s rebuilding process.
Tipoff for the Celtics-Wizards game is at 7 p.m. ET.
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