August 16, 2022

Washington Wizards Game 62 Recap: Wiz lose Beal and the game as Paul George paces Pacers

March 5, 2016 by
(Photo by: @NBA)

(Photo by: @NBA)

Last night the Washington Wizards were embarrassed by the conference leading Cleveland Cavaliers on national television. On the second end of a back-to-back, the DC franchise was hoping to get back on track with an important matchup with the Indiana Pacers, the conference’s current seven seed. Randy Wittman understands the importance of the game because it is a four game swing when taking into account that the winner gets the season tiebreak. Following Bradley Beal starting in the second half against the Cavs, the Florida product was back in the starting lineup for the first time since February 11th.

As if it was a bad omen, Bradley Beal left the game in the third quarter with a sprained pelvis. The offense was never the same as Washington scored 35 points in the entire second half after dropping 37 in the first quarter alone. Paul George had 38 points on just 22 shot attempts and won the game at the free throw line, where the Wizards evidently lost it with 15 of 24 shooting from the charity stripe. In a game that was going to have a big effect on the Wizards playoff chances, they fell 100-99 in heartbreak fashion. [Read more…]

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Washington Wizards Game 51 Recap: Wiz fail to sweep the Bucks, head into the All-Star Break on low note

February 11, 2016 by

The Washington Wizards have been more volatile than the stock market this season. After giving up a 19-point lead to the Charlotte Hornets, the Wizards narrowly hung on to beat the New York Knicks. Clearly the first half of the season has not gone the way they intended; that goes for the Milwaukee Bucks as well. Milwaukee had dropped five straight games before just getting by the hot Boston Celtics.

Things were off to a promising start, but Washington had their required terrible quarter (this time in the second). The Wizards fought their way back in the third quarter but they were unable to execute down the stretch and fell 99-92.

John Wall has been playing at an elite level over the past four games and that continued into the early goings of tonight’s game. Wall had four assists, three to Marcin Gortat off the pick and roll, and a 3-pointer to be involved in all of Washington’s first 12 points. Jason Kidd called timeout to stop Washington’s 14-6 run to start the game. Randy Wittman was happy with the active defense early that forced the Bucks into 4 of 17 shooting to start the game. Washington had assists on each of their first 11 field goals in the first quarter which gave them a 27-18 lead after twelve minutes of play.

[Read more…]

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Washington Wizards Game 49 Recap: Wiz with another epic meltdown against the Hornets

February 6, 2016 by

WALL, BEAL AND PORTER ALL SCORE 20-PLUS, BUT TEAM BLOWS 19-POINT LEAD

(Photo by: @NBA)

(Photo by: @NBA)

The Washington Wizards took care of business against the woeful Philadelphia 76ers Friday night before taking the red-eye down to Charlotte. With Bradley Beal still limited after returning from the beginnings of a stress reaction injury, he did not start against the Hornets because of the back-to-back set. In somewhat typical fashion, Washington blew a 19-point first half lead. Even with the Wizards getting 20 or more from John Wall, Beal, and Otto Porter Jr., they did not get a victory. Terrible defense in the second half meant Charlotte came away with another stolen victory, 108-104.

Jared Dudley, who was “disappointed” for not being selected to participate in the 3-point shooting contest, was on absolute fire to start the game for Washington. The stretch-four specialist made all four of his jump shots, including two 3-pointers, for 10 points in the first quarter. Washington got out to a 14-6 advantage, but Charlotte evened things up with an 11-2 run midway through the quarter. Marvin Williams paced the Hornets with eight points as both teams scored 25 point at the end of one.

[Read more…]

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Washington Wizards Game 23 Review: Wall struggles as Grizzlies rout Wizards

December 15, 2015 by

The Washington Wizards continued their inconsistent and woeful ways Monday night, following up Saturday’s big performance with an abysmal one. The injury-depleted Wizards lost in a blowout to the Memphis Grizzlies, 112-95, at the FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tennessee.

The Wizards really never got things going in this one, going down 57-46 at half with at least some sort of a comeback still in the realm of possibilities. But Memphis came out with nine unanswered points to take a commanding lead that they never lost, especially with the way they were shooting. The Wizards’ defense continued its season-long struggles again, and was allowing open shots the entire night. Memphis shot an incredible 56 percent from the field, including 10 of 15 from 3-point range. In nine December games, the Wizards have held their opponents under 100 points just once. [Read more…]

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Washington Wizards Game 6 Review: Fourth quarter spurt by Atlanta dooms Wiz

November 7, 2015 by

The Washington Wizards believe they should be considered at the top of the Southeast Division with the Atlanta Hawks. They had their first chance to prove it Saturday, but a fourth-quarter spurt by Atlanta proved the difference and the Wizards fell 114-99 at Phillips Arena.

The Hawks won their seventh consecutive after an opening night loss to Detroit.

The Wizards fall to 3-3 after consecutive road losses to Boston and the Hawks. [Read more…]

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Washington Wizards Game 47 Review: Wiz fourth quarter comeback stalls against Suns

January 29, 2015 by

The road-weary Washington Wizards started slowly, gained momentum, almost pulled even, but eventually faltered, as their fourth quarter comeback stalled and the Wizards fell to the Phoenix Suns 106-98 on Wednesday.

The Wizards (31-16) ended  up splitting their West Coast swing, sandwiching wins against Denver and the Lakers with losses to Portland and the Suns. [Read more…]

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Washington Wizards Game 3 Review: Porter drops 21 in Wiz home opening win

November 2, 2014 by

The Washington Wizards defeated the Milwaukee Bucks, 108-97, Saturday night at the Verizon Center in Washington in the Wizards’ home opener.

Otto Porter scored 19 of his career-high 21 points in the second half as the Wizards (2-1) pulled away for good after the Bucks closed a 14-point first half deficit to within four.

“He played solid,” Wizards coach Randy Wittman said postgame. “He had an opportunity tonight and I didn’t take him out in the second half.  He played 24 [minutes] and Garrett [Temple] played 24.  I just thought those two together were playing so well.”

Porter got his chance to start the second half because Paul Pierce was ejected right before halftime after committing his second technical foul.

Behind the dominant frontcourt duo of Marcin Gortat and Nene, the Wizards were staked to a 41-27 lead. The Bucks then went on a 17-8 run to enter halftime with a five-point deficit. The Bucks were aided by the ensuing free throws from Pierce’s foul and his two technicals.

Pierce was ejected on back-to-back technicals disputing  a clear path foul with seven seconds left in the first half. Pierce initially refused to leave the court until both a game official and Wizards head coach Randy Wittman motioned to have Pierce escorted from the premises.

“He [Pierce] took one for the team,” Porter said. “At the same time, I knew it was an opportunity to step up. Somebody has to step up so I just went out there and played.”

Nene led the Wizards with 22 points, while Gortat added 20. The Wizards also got balanced contributions from their backcourt, with John Wall chipping in 19 points. Garrett Temple scored a career-high 18 points starting in the place of the injured Bradley Beal.

Gortat revealed the secret of his success. “Brazilian guy [Nene] was working for me, that’s what was working for me. I just continued to play. I continued to play to my strengths. I think with struggling in the preseason and you know I came back to my routine from last year. I kind of start coming back to playing my basketball.”

The Bucks never led and committed 28 turnovers. Brandon Knight led the Bucks with 24 points, while Jerryd Bayless added 20 points off the bench.

  • The Wizards have now won three consecutive games against the Bucks dating back to last season (114-107 on 3/8 at MIL, 104-91 on 4/12 at WAS).  Washington won the 2013-14 season series 3-1.
  • Washington shot .548 (40-of-73) from the field tonight.  Entering tonight, the Wizards were shooting .484 (75-155) from the field this season.  Washington has scored 105-or-more points in its last two games.
  • Washington recorded as season-high 18 steals tonight.  Milwaukee committed 28 turnovers tonight, leading to 25 points for Washington.  This marks a season-high for opponent turnovers this season.
  • John Wall finished with 19 points, 10 assists, six rebounds, and five steals tonight.  This marks Wall’s third straight game with a double-double, a feat he has now accomplished five times in his career.  This also marks the fourth career-game Wall has tallied at least 19 points, 10 assists, six rebounds, and five steals.
  • Milwaukee rookie Jabari Parker tallied career-highs with 13 points and 11 rebounds tonight.  This marks Parker’s second double-double in his first three games in the NBA.
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Washington Wizards Preseason Game 8 Recap: Wiz Fall Short Against Knicks

October 22, 2014 by

WALL DROPS 29, WIZ LOSE IN FINAL SECONDS TO KNICKS

Playing inside Madison Square Garden, the Washington Wizards dropped to 4-4, losing to the New York Knicks, 103-100.

After taking Monday off, John Wall returned to lead the Wizards in perhaps his finest performance of the preseason. Scoring 29 points, he also dished seven assists and forced four steals in 33:21 minutes. [Read more…]

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Washington Wizards Game 27 Recap: With help from Beal, Wizards rout Pistons

December 29, 2013 by

Just a day after Bradley Beal needed two of his teammates to help him to the locker room, the Washington Wizards guard took the court Saturday night in time to help his team to a 106-82 win over the Detroit Pistons.

Beal scored 15 points on the night after bruising his left knee in a collision with Minnesota Timberwolves’ Luc Mbah Friday.

“I just came out and did my normal routine,” Beal said after Saturday’s win. “…I just went out there and did what I was supposed to do—workout-wise—and I felt fine from the get-go, so I just continued to do what I did and I played the way I was capable of playing.”

Among Beal’s biggest contributions on the night were his eight consecutive points in the final minutes of the second quarter. John Wall set up Beal for back-to-back threes with little more than two minutes remaining to help Washington enter the second half with a comfortable 62-41 lead. [Read more…]

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NBA 2013 Draft: Wizards select Otto Porter Jr. with 3rd overall pick

June 27, 2013 by

The Washington Wizards Thursday night selected Georgetown sophomore Otto Porter, Jr. with the third pick in the 2013 NBA draft.

The Wizards’ selection comes as little surprise. Porter, Jr., a 6-foot-8 small forward, could help the Wizards patch defensive holes this season, particularly as their core guys return to good health. As the Big East Player of the Year, Porter became a favorite among D.C.-area fans. The 20-year-old averaged 16.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game and shot 48 percent from the field last season.

“Sometimes people get labeled as a shooter or a rebounder, this guy knows how to play basketball,” said Wizards head coach Randy Wittman. “As a player, those were the kind of players I loved playing with because they make you better. I think he’s going to fit right in.”

“He knows how to play, that’s the important thing,” he continued. “He can run the floor, he can handle the ball, he can defend. I think he’s an underrated shooter.”

Porter, a native of Sikeston, Mo. – a town of just over 41,000 residents – could bring more to the court than impressive statistics and a 7’1 wingspan. He’s been described as humble and mature beyond his years – qualities that could very well complement the personalities already present in the Wizards’ locker room.

“It’s a dream come true just to even go somewhere and just knowing that it’s in my backyard makes it even better – makes it that much more special,” Porter said. “Being under [Georgetown] Coach [John] Thompson [III] definitely allowed me to explore my game and to be a complete ballplayer.”

As many suspected, the Wizards drew Porter after UNLV forward Anthony Bennett and Indiana center Victor Oladipo were selected first and second respectively.

“We’re very fortunate to get [Porter],” said Wizards General Manager Ernie Grunfeld. “I think he’s a very versatile player. He fits well with what we’re trying to do. He’s a mature person, plays several positions, a good defensive player, real team-oriented guy and we’re real pleased to have him.”

The Wizards also acquired Glen Rice, Jr., taken 35th overall by Philadelphia, in exchange for the 38th and 54th overall picks in the 2013 NBA Draft.

The 6-foot-5 Rice played last season for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the NBA Development League, averaging 13.0 points and 6.2 rebounds while shooting .491 from the floor and .385 from three-point range in 42 regular season games. He improved his numbers in the postseason, averaging 25.0 points, 9.5 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 2.0 steals and 2.0 blocks to lead the Vipers to the D-League championship.  Rice also played three seasons at Georgia Tech, averaging 13.0 points and 4.8 rebounds as a junior before being suspended for the final six games of the season.

“We had Glen rated very high on our draft board due to his shooting ability and overall game,” Grunfeld said.  “He was able to use his season in the D-League to show that his commitment to the game matched his talent and we’re confident that he will work hard to take advantage of this opportunity.”

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