If you’re a Washington Wizards (9-30) fan who has held on throughout the course of the season thus far, Monday night’s 98-95 win over the Portland Trail Blazers (20-21) was your reward.
Jordan Crawford’s buzzer-beating 3-pointer well after midnight on the east coast proved enough to send Wizards fans to bed with a smile on their faces. So, too, was the somewhat clumsy – but hard-earned – celebration that commenced afterwards on the court.
But, while Crawford – who posted 13 points and one rebound in Portland – was undoubtedly the hero of the game, the true promise for celebrations to come rests not in the final seconds of Monday’s contest, but in the fact that the Wizards have learned to spread the wealth and move the ball.
In addition to Crawford, Martell Webster and Nene each tallied 24 points apiece. Nene added nine rebounds and five assists, and Webster another four rebounds and six assists. Emeka Okafor rounded out the double-digit crew with his eighth double-double of the season – which consisted of 13 points and 13 rebounds. Perhaps more telling was the fact that the Wizards added Monday’s win to the books without many offensive contributions from John Wall – who added just six points – and Bradley Beal – who posted just two. [Read more…]