Entering Saturday, the Wizards ranked sixth in the NBA in points allowed per game at 95.3 and fifth in opponent field goal percentage at 43.7 percent — ahead of such usual stalwarts as Miami, San Antonio and Boston in both categories. The franchise hasn’t ranked among the top 10 in opponent scoring since Michael Jordan’s final season in 2002-03 or in the top 10 in opponent field goal percentage since 1990-91.

“We know that we’re up there in the defensive category and we want to stay there,” Ariza said. “Our best bet is to lock down. Defense is just effort. You just have to put effort in to play defense. Scoring the basketball takes a little bit more, so if we continue to give this effort, we give ourselves a chance every night.”

via Michael Lee of The Washington Post