Comparing the Atlanta Hawks’ and Washington Wizards’ Benches After Two Games

Wings

Kent Bazemore (ATL): 10 PPG, 4 RPG, 2 APG, 9.1 PER in 26.4 MPG

Mike Dunleavy Jr. (ATL): 2 PPG, 0.5 RPG, 0.0 APG, 4.0 PER in 9 MPG

Bojan Bogdanovic (WAS): 5 PPG, 4 RPG, 0.5 APG, 3.0 PER in 17.9 MPG

Kelly Oubre Jr. (WAS): 6 PPG, 2 RPG, 0.5 APG, 15 PER in 16 MPG

The biggest oddity of the reserve wingmen is the exclusion of Thabo Sefolosha. Sefolosha was fourth on the team in Defensive Win Shares at 2.7 and was within the league’s top tier in DWS before he missed 15 games after January.

In this series, Sefolosha played only four minutes in Game 2 after not playing in Game 1. Sefolosha is arguably the best wing player on the team, as his 3.3 Win Shares (in only 62 games) during the regular season would suggest. Bradley Beal, who would likely be Sefolosha’s defensive assignment, has averaged over 22 points per game ove the first two games, and one could easily believe that Sefolosha would have limited that to some extent.

Bazemore has been one of the better players for the disappointing Hawks during the series. He is one of five Hawks averaging double figures and the only one who has come off the bench. His playmaking has aided the team as well, as his two assists per game are third on the team so far. As Malcolm Delaney has not played at all, Bazemore has played backup point guard in some cases.

Mike Dunleavy has done nothing of note during his 18 minutes on the court.

Bogdanovic was brought to the Wizards to score, and he has attempted to do so. He has attempted the fifth-most shots for the Wizards. Sadly, he has only connected on three of his 15 shots. He has, though, rebounded the ball well. His six rebounds during Game 2 ranked third on his team. Depth-wise, Bogdanovic has helped the Wizards immensely.

Oubre Jr., who was drafted by the Hawks and traded to the Wizards in 2015, has been a spark plug off Washington’s bench, similar to Jennings. His impact is not fully seen on the box score, as his energy and grit has shown as inspiration to his team to go on game-changing runs. He made waves after Game 1, speaking on the matchup between four-time All-Star Paul Millsap and Markieff Morris:

"“Millsap is an All-Star. But honestly, in my opinion, Keef is better than him,” Oubre said. “I tell him that every day. Obviously, people respect Millsap. I respect Millsap to the fullest, but we have one of the best power forwards in the game of basketball right now with this team. He goes out and shows that every day.”"

This was controversial, and Morris proved a point. In Game 2, Morris had 3 points, 3 rebounds, and five personal fouls.