Power Rankings, Week 4: Sizzling Sixers rise to the top

Record: 2-7

Offensive Rating (OffRtg): 110.2 (19) Defensive Rating (DefRtg): 117.5 (26) Net Rating (NetRtg): -7.3 (28) Pace: 105.4 (1)

The Wizards looked poised to secure a 2-0 record against the Hornets and 1-1 standing in the In-Season Tournament. However, they squandered an 11-point lead in the fourth quarter of their home game on Friday and couldn’t close the deal in a comeback from a 17-point deficit in Brooklyn on Sunday. As a result, they have now lost six of their last seven games.

Three takeaways

• The Wizards struggled on the boards in their losses to Charlotte and Brooklyn over the weekend, allowing an astounding 48 offensive rebounds and 53 second-chance points across the two games. Their defensive rebounding percentage on Friday was the second lowest in the last eight seasons for any team in any game.

• They have experienced a significant drop in defensive rebounding percentage from last season, particularly when playing small, as their starting center Daniel Gafford showed a lower defensive rebounding percentage on the floor compared to when he was off the floor.

• The last two games marked the Wizards’ first two close matchups within the last five minutes. They scored nine points on 17 clutch possessions, while their opponents scored 28 on 18.

The Nets’ low scoring on Sunday was more due to their poor 3-point shooting (12-for-49, 24%) rather than the Wizards’ defensive efforts, and Washington’s defense is expected to be impacted with Delon Wright sidelined with an MCL sprain.

Following their first rest-advantage game of the season, the Wizards secured a comfortable win over Memphis. They are set for their second rest-advantage game against the Mavs on Wednesday, who will be coming from a game in New Orleans the night before.

Dunk of the Night 😳

Landry Shamet takes flight for a huge dunk and gets the Wiz bench hyped 🔥😤#NBAAfrica #NBA pic.twitter.com/J0Atdq8Vmo

— NBA Africa (@NBA_Africa) November 9, 2023

Week 4: @ TOR, vs. DAL, vs. NYK*