Game #2 – at Charlotte Hornets: Friday, Feb. 22

With all due respect to the Hornets, this game isn’t particularly important because of the opponent the Wizards face, but more because of the timing. This will be the Wizards’ first game after the All-Star break, and it will mark an essential part of the season. By the time this game falls on the schedule, the Wizards will have a good idea of where they stand in the East.

Are they in the top 4, competing for home-court advantage in the playoffs? Are they in the bottom four among playoff teams, fighting for their spot? Are they out of the playoffs altogether? By late February, they will know the direction their season is heading in and will have a point of reference for how they want to continue going forward. After last season’s All-Star break, the Wizards were 34-24, right in the mix for the middle of the Eastern Conference’s playoff positions.

As for the matchup on the court, the Hornets are a divisional opponent for the Wizards so that this game could be meaningful regarding the Southeast Division. The Wizards and Hornets played one another four times last season, and the Hornets came out on top in three of those games.

The Hornets can attribute much of their success against their divisional rivals to the presence of Dwight Howard, who played some of his best basketball against the Wizards last season. Howard scored in double figures in all four games against the Wizards, including 26 points against them in a November win. With Howard now in DC, the Wizards will likely fare better against the Hornets this season.

Next Up: Game 1 & Bonus