MEMPHIS, TN - OCTOBER 30: Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards looks on during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on October 30, 2018 at FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)

MEMPHIS, TN - OCTOBER 30: Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards looks on during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on October 30, 2018 at FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)

Washington Wizards

Washington Wizards: 3 takeaways from the first 10 games

by Jerran Anderson Follow @heregojayagain
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Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images

The Washington Wizards are 2-8 in their first 10 games of the regular season. Here’s a look at three takeaways from their awful start.

The Washington Wizards are off to another sluggish start and from top to bottom, everything looks bad. Their team defense has been terrible, their chemistry on offense has been terrible and it’s shown in recent results.

On Tuesday night, they fell 119-100 to the Dallas Mavericks, allowing Dallas to snap a six-game losing streak. Washington was outscored 32-22 in the fourth quarter by Dallas, a huge letdown after trimming a 21-point halftime deficit to just nine entering the final frame.

As it stands, the Wizards have lost six of their last seven games and are 2-8 through their first 10 games of 2018-19. They currently rank 14th in the Eastern Conference standings and there’s more than just a coaching issue going on in the locker room. Surprisingly, Dwight Howard hasn’t been the bulk of the issue, either.

John Wall and Bradley Beal have been a dominant backcourt for a while, but in recent games, they’ve turned over a different leaf. When the dust settled on Tuesday night, Washington allowed two 20+ point scorers in rookie Luka Doncic (23 points) and guard Wesley Mathews (22 points).

On their own end, Wall and Beal combined to shoot 3-of-15 from 3-point range despite pouring in 43 points themselves. Kelly Oubre Jr. was also 0-of-5 from behind the arc. Things will need to change in a hurry if the Wizards hope to contend in the East for a playoff spot. Here’s a look at three takeaways from their first 10 games as adjustments need to be made.

Next: No. 3

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