Washington Wizards Three Takeaways: Wizards Hold Own But LeBron and Co. End The Magical Run In Game Of The Year
By Ryan Eugene
Washington Wizards held their own, but saw their 17-game home winning streak come to an end against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
WHAT. A. GAME.
As a fan of the Washington Wizards, I sometimes forget what it feels like to watch a tense back and forth matchup. The stakes were less high, but I haven’t felt that feeling since the 2015 NBA Playoffs against Atlanta. Both teams wanted this game bad and it showed.
The fans in the Verizon Center showed up and created an exhilarating atmosphere. The Wizards posted their second sellout game of the season, and its back and forth nature has media types calling it the game of the year.
On Saturday, John Wall called it the biggest regular season game of his career.
Markieff Morris said “You have to beat the best to be the best.” Bradley Beal told reporters, “We’re climbing in the rankings and we’re going to keep climbing.” It’s safe to say this was a highly anticipated game pitting the number one seed Cavaliers against three seed Washington.
The network executives at TNT made the right call “flexing” the matchup, and replacing a stinker between the Lakers and Knicks.
As Washington built a 17 game home win streak, the national news and media finally came running.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst wrote an excellent profile on John Wall, published earlier on Monday. Washington was fourth in the ESPN Power Rankings for the second straight week.
Washington didn’t disappoint in this back and forth affair, and showed exactly why they should be taken seriously as a potential conference finalist.
As has been the case most of the season, the starters led the way on offense.
The Wizards starters scored 119 of the team’s 135 points, including 41 from Beal. In the end, it wasn’t enough as Kyrie Irving led the Cavs in overtime after LeBron James fouled out.
Both teams had plenty of opportunities to win down the stretch, but ultimately, LeBron put a dagger in Washington’s heart.
Down three, Kevin Love through a beautiful outlet pass up the court to James, who was near the Wizards’ bench.
Guarded by Beal, James took one dribble to get behind the 3-point line before hitting a ridiculous turnaround three pointer off the glass to tie the game.
It was basically the most amazing shot he could make.
On to the three takes.