Will Ariza's Move To Bench Help Washington?

[Giantmetfan07]

Wizards Lineup Switch Pays Dividends


On paper, moving Trevor Ariza to the bench in favor of Garrett Temple doesn't make a lot of sense.

Ariza is a better scorer for the Wizards, especially with Bradley Beal missing his third consecutive game with a sprained left ankle. Temple scored just two points in Saturday’s 104-87 win vs. the Charlotte Bobcats in 23 minutes of action. Ariza came off the bench to score a game-high 26 points, making 7 of 11 shots, including 5 of 8 three-pointers, and 10 rebounds in 35 minutes.

Ariza had been inserted into the starting lineup the previous two games because of Beal's injury, but the Wizards lacked scoring off the bench and Ariza wasn't as effective. They lost both. Making the switch, however, was about more than statistics. Point guard John Wall needed help in the backcourt.

“It gives us a little bit more early ball-handling with Brad out. We miss Brad’s ability to put the ball on the floor,” Wizards coach Randy Wittman said. “Garrett can do some of those things if we’re pressured. I just felt like we were getting really over-extended. Teams really picking up on John knowing there’s nobody else to alleviate any of that.

“Trev’s been comfortable coming off (the bench). I talked to him before the game. … I told him after the game I like him a lot better on the bench.”