Published on: Apr 1, 2022 11:06 am IST|Updated on: Apr 1, 2022 11:06 am IST
WAS vs DAL Dream11: Hello, dear NBA fans, hope life is treating you well, well, life does have given you an opportunity to watch quality basketball by tuning into the NBA world. And soon there will be more and more intense battles to view in the NBA Galaxy as the Playoffs will close in. That is why the current period is important for various squads to finish on a high, especially the ones that remain in Playoffs contention. Washington Wizards have been eliminated from the Postseason race already but they will face one of the top teams from the Western Conference.
This has been the second straight disappointing season for the Wizards. The team has been one of the worst since the mid-November period and after a strong 10-3 start to the season, the team has only seen pain and suffering. The injury to Bradley Beal added to that suffering and his future with the team remains fuzzy at this point.
Things have not been fuzzy for the Dallas Mavericks since January. They have etched themselves as one of the top teams in the league and with the way they are playing, even top-two seeded Suns and Grizzlies aren’t safe. Yes, surely, they lack the offensive depth of those teams, but with Luka Doncic and an elite defense, who knows if the Mavs turn a big run?
Host: Washington Wizards Visitors: Dallas Mavericks Match Timing: 2 April, @ 04:30 AM Venue: Capital One Arena
The Wizards managed a strong 127:110 win against the Magic as Kristaps Porzingis clinched 35 points.
Unfortunately, such wins have been far and few for the Wizards this season, and this has been the second season in a row that the team failed to make a mark. At least, last season the team reached the Play-in tournament but this season has been as painful as it gets. There is a significant lack of star power and unlike last season, their only star player Bradley Beal was unable to rack up 30+ points consistently. The team defense has been awful for the most part and the management has the work cut out.
But there is a promise if Beal decides to stick. A lineup of Beal, Kuzma, and Porzingis alongside a two-way playmaking PG can be a difference-maker. The Wizards have lacked stability at the Point Guard position all season long and that has been one of the major reasons for their failings. This is a team that began in a rousing fashion, relying on their defense, but once the intensity dropped off and a rough stretch began away from home, the team also started losing a bunch of home games.
The Mavericks come into this game after steamrolling the Lakers 128:110 as Luka Doncic had another 30+ points night The Mavericks have been one of the best teams in the league ever since January and one of the major reasons has been the continuous elite play of Doncic. The theme has been simple for the Mavs, shut down teams in the second half completely and finish the game on a high note. At home, they have been one of the best squads but they have every tool in the kit to be an equally effective road team. The best part about the Mavericks’ run has been that apart from Luka, the rest of the players are role players and this makes for a beautiful balance.
But what is a “role player” exactly? We fail to recognize the defensive stars at times and Dorian Finney-Smith and Reggie Bullock are surely these defensive stars. Maxi Kleber has been a strong defender and rebounder as well, sparking the team on that end. Luka Doncic also has Jalen Brunson and Spencer Dinwiddie as two other major ball-handlers and this gives him more liberty to play off-the-ball at times. Although the Mavericks may not look as loaded as the Grizzlies or the Suns, they can be a force on the defensive end. Can they pull out a miracle Playoffs run?
Washington Wizards (Eliminated from Playoffs) | Dallas Mavericks (3rd in West) Games: 76 | 77 Wins: 33 | 48 Defeats: 43 | 29
Washington Wizards Team News
Wizards Expected Starting Five Wing: SF: Corey Kispert Middle: PF: Rui Hachimura | C: Kristaps Porzingis Guards: PG: Tomas Satoransky | SG: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
Bench: Daniel Gafford, Raul Neto, Anthony Gill, Deni Advija, Thomas Bryant, , Ish Smith.
Dallas Mavericks Team News
Mavericks Expected Starting Five Defensive Wing: SF: Reggie Bullock Defensive Anchor: PF: Dorian Finney-Smith Middle: C: Dwight Powell Primary Ball Handlers: PG: Jalen Brunson | PG: Luka Doncic
BENCH: Josh Green, Spencer Dinwiddie, Marquesse Chriss, Davis Bertans, Maxi Kleber, Frank Ntilikina, Boban Marajanovic.
Kristaps Porzingis(WAS) Points: 35 Rebounds: 08 Assists: 03 Blocks: 02 Kristaps has dominated the opposing Centers and has done a great job as both a scorer and rebounder for the Wizards. He has mostly been in 23-30 points, 8-10 rebounds and 3-5 assists range these days. The Center can be chosen as a Star/Pro Player in the Dream 11 NBA Fantasy scenario. Expected Fantasy Points Range: 36-50
Luka Doncic(DAL) Points: 35 Rebounds: 09 Assists: 13 Blocks: 02 Steals: 01 Guard Luka has been the cornerstone of the Maverickes’ success and he has been in an MVP-level form throughout the season. He has mostly been in 30+ points, 8-13 assists, and 9-12 rebounds range these days. Expected Fantasy Points Range: 50-65
Spencer Dinwiddie(DAL) missed the last game and he has been vital off the bench. Guard has mostly been in 13-19 points and 4-6 assists range. Expected Fantasy Points Range: 23-32
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope(WAS) Points: 25 Rebounds: 02 Assists: 03 Steals: 02 Shooting Guard Kentavious has been shooting well this season and his scoring average is up compared to the last season. The Guard has mostly been in 16-22 points and 1-2 steals range. Expected Fantasy Points Range: 20-32
Jalen Brunson(DAL) Points: 18 Rebounds: 05 Assists: 06 Crafty left-handed Jalen has showcased his brilliance throughout the season and has been incredible backcourt support for Luka. He has mostly been in 12-18 points, 4-6 rebounds, and 3-5 assists range. Expected Fantasy Points Range: 20-34
Dorian Finney-Smith(DAL) Points: 28 Rebounds: 02 Assists: 03 Blocks: 01 Primarily a defensive anchor, Dorian has had some strong offensive outings this season and the Power Forward position. He has mostly been in 8-14 points and 3-5 rebounds range. Expected Fantasy Points Range: 12-26
Rui Hachimura(WAS) Points: 17 Rebounds: 07 Assists: 03 Blocks: 02 Hachimura has been starting ever since Kyle Kuzma has been out and there is a question, has hit his ceiling or has he more to offer as a Power Forward? He has mostly been in 10-17 points and 4-7 rebounds range. Expected Fantasy Points Range: 16-25
PG: L Doncic(SP) SG: K Caldwell-Pope, J Brunson, C Kispert SF: R Hachimura PF: R Bullock, K Porzingis(PP) C: D Powell
Wouldn’t you like to see Luka Doncic go up against his former teammate Kristaps Porzingis? In the not the most riveting piece of news, Indian NBA online platforms Voot and JIO TV are not going to stream this game. On the other hand, TV channels MTV and VH1 are also not going to display this game. So what can you do to watch this game? I recommend access to the NBA League Pass, where you can buy the annual subscription and dive through all the live games while also watching the full-game replays afterward. For knowing the scores, stats, and news, visit the official website of the NBA.