The NBA's Terrible Two, Wizards and Thunder, Meet Tonight at The Verizon Center

The two worst teams in the NBA are the Washington Wizards and the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Washington (4-23) is coming off of another heartbreaking loss, this time to conference rival, the Cleveland Cavaliers—93-89.

In that game, the Wizards failed to score in the final 1:33.

They allowed the Cavaliers to take away a late fourth quarter lead, and sent them to the free throw line.

That lack of discipline gave the Cavaliers momentum, as they scored the game’s final 11 points, eight of them from the charity strike.

The Oklahoma City Thunder (3-27) has underperformed in their first season in their new surroundings.

Formally known as the Seattle Supersonics, it has been a struggle to find the winning formula.

However, their top two scorers second-year man Kevin Durant and rookie Jeff Green provide the team with confidence for the future.

Even as the losses pile up, the experience of playing in the fast and furious pro league, combined with their raw talent, means this duo could lead the Thunder for many years to come.

Washington if they fail to notch a win in this game, have a brutal five-game stretch against the NBA’s best.

They face Houston, New Orleans, Boston, Cleveland, and Orlando respectively.

With the absence of formidable big men down on the block, the Wiz will find it hard to compete against these foes, unless they plan on shooting 90% from the field.

If they do carry any positives coming into tonight’s contest, it would be their recent success against the Thunder.

Caron Butler (21.0 points 6.5 rebounds 4.5 assists average per game this season) has played well, averaging 27.0 points in the two wins earned last season.

Washington held Kevin Durant and Jeff Green to a 32.1 shooting percentage in a 106-88 win on Jan. 6.

Adding a little bit of incentive for the Wizards is that both players are natives of the Washington DC area.

Thunder forward Chris Wilcox (Maryland) believes his team is still learning how to play the whole 48 minutes.

“We’re a young team that is still learning how to finish games, and they are a great team that knows how to do that.”

Mr. Wilcox perhaps you give them too much credit.

Closing out victories is something that has been elusive for them this season as well.

Despite leading the Wizards, in scoring Butler is coming off a putrid performance.

He scored a total of 6 points—on 3-of-13 shooting against the Cavaliers.

That won’t get the job done if the Wizards expect to turn things around.

Bench player Mike James picked up the slack and finished his night with 26 points, his highest total since being acquired on Dec. 10.

Unfortunately the eight-game losing streak the Wizards started last month, began with his arrival.

Bad teams just do not get the breaks.

As for the Thunder, their seven-game road losing streak culminated in a 90-88 loss to Detroit on Friday.

This dropped their record against Eastern Conference opponents to 1-13.

Ouch!

Jeff Green made only four of 14 shots for 11 points, after recording double-doubles in his two previous games.

Wizards Interim Coach Ed Tapscott is determined to keep his team in the moment. 

His philosophy is to take one game at a time.

“Hey, this could be an opportunity to see what we can do,” said Tapscott.  “I’m going to say look at the standard we set for ourselves against a team that’s got this type of record.  There’s no excuse for any less standard against anybody else, and that is what I am going to hammer every day from now on.”

After tonight’s game coach, I hope this attitude effects the results on the scoreboard.

“Winning is the cure for most of our ills. Drugs are a close second.”

Notes:

During the month of December Kevin Durant has averaged 25.6 points on 47.6% shooting, including 51.1% from three-point range.

For the season he is averaging 23.6 points per game on 43% shooting, including 28.8% from three-point range.

Jeff Green is averaging 15.5 points on 45.4% shooting and 5.9 rebounds per game respectively.