As we inch closer toward the All-Star break, top-tier teams will begin to reflect on what has worked, what hasn't and what needs to change moving forward.
For the Washington Wizards, the team currently sits at No. 4 in the Eastern Conference, but are coming off a demoralizing 120-89 loss to the Atlanta Hawks.
After the game, forward Paul Pierce spoke on the major issue plaguing the Wizards.
"We are definitely getting better, but tonight was a step back," Pierce said. "We're a good home team, but in the playoffs or somewhere down the line, you're going to have to beat a good team on the road. That's what we haven't been able to do. We have to beat some of these top, elite teams in their building."
Pierce has a point, as the Wizards have won 16 of their 20 games at home, while dropping eight of 17 for a 52 percent won/loss record on the road.
Going by the numbers, they're averaging just 96 points per game on the road, and their defensive rating drops from 97 at home to 105 away.
Recognizing an issue is the first step toward fixing it, and Washington will surely work to perfect this problem down the stretch.
