The Wizards can apparently beat the Nets, but not many others, as their only wins the past three weeks have been against Brooklyn. Washington has managed a few spread covers in recent weeks but the Wiz are only 6-24 SU at Cap One Arena. There's also the upcoming draft where Washington has a real shot at the top choice and likely to add Duke's Cooper Flagg if the dominoes fall right. In the bigger picture, this matchup vs. Portland is not terribly important. The Blazers have been good enough lately to trust, regrouping after a brief pause and winning back-to-back, including a 53-point thumper over Charlotte. Note G Anfernee Simons has scored 25 or more in three of the past four. Play Blazers

B365 @-115. Would also bet down to u21.5. In his first two games with the Wizards, Khris Middleton has recorded 19 and 15 PRA, on 20 and 18% usage. The usage rate is actually a tick lower than it was with the Bucks, and the Wizards seem inclined to keep his rotation around 25-26 minutes. I’m not seeing enough upside for Middleton, especially against a Portland team that very quietly is 2nd in defensive rating over the last 15 games.