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Washington Wizards Three Takeaways: Otto Porter Shines, as the Wizards Beat the Pistons

By Alishah Pearine

WASHINGTON, DC -  OCTOBER 20: Otto Porter Jr. #22 of the Washington Wizards handles the ball during game against the Detroit Pistons on October 20, 2017 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC -  OCTOBER 20: Otto Porter Jr. #22 of the Washington Wizards handles the ball during game against the Detroit Pistons on October 20, 2017 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC –  OCTOBER 20: Otto Porter Jr. #22 of the Washington Wizards handles the ball during game against the Detroit Pistons on October 20, 2017 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC –  OCTOBER 20: Otto Porter Jr. #22 of the Washington Wizards handles the ball during game against the Detroit Pistons on October 20, 2017 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

On Friday, behind a spectacular performance by Otto Porter, Jr., the Washington Wizards beat the Detroit Pistons.

Inside the Washington Wizards‘ Capital One Arena, excitement was brewing prior to tip-off for their second game of the season against the Detroit Pistons. The dynamic backcourt of John Wall and Bradley Beal were expected to have another sensational game and they did. What many were wondering coming into this game was whether Otto Porter, Jr. would continue to be a scoring threat, and how their bench would fare.

Led by Porter, the Wizards narrowly beat the Pistons 115-111.

After Jason Smith suffered a shoulder injury against the Sixers, Kelly Oubre, Jr. started at the three, while they moved Porter to the power forward position.

The bench still needs a lot of work, However, Jodie Meeks has proved himself to be a reliable three-point shooter.

Second-Half Spark

In the first half of the game, Wall, Beal, and every Wizards’ player not named Porter looked uninvolved on both sides of the ball. It appeared that Detroit was going to run away with the game. However, after a couple of defensive stops and made shots —including one where Wall blocked Tobias Harris at the rim and Beal hit a midrange jumper on the other end— the Wizards were only down seven going into the second half.

With the start of the second-half, Washington was more aggressive. They went after every loose ball, contested every shot and made the extra pass for wide open shots. They ended the third quarter with the lead, 91-81

Complacency still seems to be an issue at the start of the season, as Washington nearly blew another game in the waning minutes of the 4th quarter. It is unacceptable that the Wizards are allowing teams like the Pistons and Sixers to score more than 110 points.

Porter came out to play

Porter started and finished strong, and kept Washington in the game. After scoring a total of 10 points against the Sixers, he more than doubled his scoring output, ending the game leading all scorers with with 28 points. 20 of those points came in the first half. He also had 9 rebounds, and 4 steals. His high energy on both ends of the floor, created a plethora of turnovers and easy baskets for Washington.

Although Wall and Beal took over in the second half, Porter continued with his aggressive style of play. His unique skillset mixed with his length. will make it incredibly tough for teams to keep up with the Wizards, if he’s able to maintain that same intensity.

The sky is the limit for Porter. At only 24, he has expanded his game from a knockdown corner 3-point shooter to being able to pull up from mid-range, hit floaters, play off-ball and create scoring opportunities for his big men, when he drives to the basket.

Bench production 

The bench once again proved to be Washington’s Achilles heel. Jodie Meeks shot lights out. Meeks knocked down two crucial three-point shots, and was perfect from the free throw line. He ended the game with 9 points. While Mike Scott played fairly well, ending the game with 8 points. But outside those two players, the bench looked rather discouraging.

Tim Frazier failed to register a single point for a second straight game, and only had four assists.

If the Wizards want to compete, they will have to rely on their bench to be more productive.

Both Wall’s and Beal’s stat line were impressive. Wall ended the game with 26 points, 10 assists, 3 rebounds and 2 blocks. Unfortunately, he also had 8 turnovers. While Beal had 25 points, 4 assists, 4 rebounds and 3 blocks. Oubre only had 4 points in 36 minutes.

According to Chris Miller of NBC Sports Wizards, this was the Polish Machine’s 447th consecutive game. Marcin Gortat added 10 points and 9 rebounds.

On Monday, the Wizards travel to the mile-high city to play the Denver Nuggets.

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