Washington Wizards Beat Themselves Against Miami Heat

Washington Wizards had numerous unforced turnovers against the Miami Heat, culminating in a disappointing loss at home on Saturday.

The ghost of 2-8 reared its ugly head on Saturday in the Washington Wizards‘ loss against the Miami Heat at the Verizon Center.

All the holes in the Wizards’ defense cropped up again at home. It’s as if Washington no longer knew basic basketball fundamentals.

It’s no secret that the Wizards have a hard time with perimeter defense, allowing opponents to shoot from downtown at will. Thankfully, the Heat weren’t attempting a lot of threes.

Instead, the Heat, behind Hassan Whiteside, crushed the Wizards in the paint.

More from Wiz of Awes

Whiteside, who leads the league in rebounding, was underneath the basket almost the entire game, waiting for his teammates to feed him the ball for an uncontested dunk or layup.

Although the Wizards saw the Heat’s gameplan, they continued to allow the Heat to run the same plays.

Inevitably, some pointed their finger at Kelly Oubre, who essentially through the ball away on the final possession.

But he didn’t lose the game for the Wizards. The Wizards lost it for themselves.

One play in the final seconds of the game doesn’t erase the 47-plus minutes of past mistakes.

First, John Wall missed a key free throw at the end of the game that would’ve forced the Heat to tie with a 3-point shot. Instead, James Johnson waltzed inside the paint for an easy layup.

Second, protect the ball. 20 turnovers?

The turnovers led to 21 points for the Heat. When points are given away like that, it’s impossible to string together stops defensively.

Washington’s backcourt, Wall and Bradley Beal, committed 13 of the team’s 20 turnovers. If you can’t protect the ball, you can’t protect home court.

Third, the Wizards’ offensive efficiency wasn’t where it needed to be.

Wall and Beal both scored 16 points apiece against a team comprised of relatively unknown guards.

More from Wiz of Awes

Fourth, weak interior defense.

Before the ball reaches the interior, the Wizards need to guard their man so their opponent can’t get easy assists to Whiteside underneath the basket.

Whiteside positions himself underneath the basket, just waiting for his teammates to feed him the ball.

It really doesn’t take much else to deflate a defense. Consistent scoring inside without restriction will deteriorate a defense.

Fifth, defense is what wins game.

The Washington Wizards need to defend the perimeter so it doesn’t feel like you’re playing against Stephen Curry every game, giving your opponents wide open, clean shots, as if they’re in practice.

It’s simple: commit defensively and quit giving up open shots, hoping the opposition misses.

Sixth. Mental lapses cause errant passes. Stop with the mental mistakes. Don’t assume your guy sees you when you pass the ball. Make sure he does before you whip it, and cause an unforced turnover.

Seventh. Fan appreciation night turned into fan depreciation night, if this type of play is a harbinger of things to come.

Wizards to 50. According to the team, if the Wizards get to 50, it will mean something to the city.

There’s a story that the Warriors’ owner Joe Lacob tells about having dinner with Michael Jordan. Jordan tells him that 73 wins means *$&# when you didn’t win the championship.

Next: Oubre Has Infused Wizards With Playoff Swag

So if Washington makes the magical number, but gets knocked out in the first round of the playoffs, all that means is that the team is making their travel plans a week later than last year.

Home/Wizards News