Washington Wizards Three Takeaways: Washington Wizards Check the Sacramento Kings
"WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 13: Marcin Gortat #13 of the Washington Wizards dunks the ball against the Sacramento Kings on November 13, 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)"
For their third straight game, the Washington Wizards held their opponents to under 100 points, as they check the Sacramento Kings, 110-92.
On Monday, the Washington Wizards completed their four-game homestand against the Kings. For their third straight game, the improved Wizards’ defense held their opponents to under 100 points, as they beat Sacramento, 110-92.
This also marked the Wizards third straight win at home. Although, this was one of the games that the Wizards were expected to win, it appears that Washington has finally figured it out on the defensive end.
Regarding their defense, John Wall had this to say after the game:
"“Both units are letting their defense dictate their offense, in the past we let our offense dictate our defense, that’s why we had so many bad lapses.”"
This was the second game in a row, where they starters were able to get meaningful rest in the fourth quarter. Although, they came out for a few minutes in the fourth, the bench closed out the game.
Beautiful Ball Movement
The Wizards took their time in passing the ball around, until they found their man with the open shot. They played with discipline and patience on the offensive end. There were no rushed shots or jacking up of threes.
On the defensive end, everyone did their job, from the bench to the second-unit. The bench, in fact, gave the Wizards life in the second quarter, as the game momentarily pulled away from them, by providing key defensive stops.
When Jodie Meeks couldn’t get an open three, he attacked the basket and finished at the rim. Kelly Oubre, Jr. crashed the glass, pulling down 8 rebounds, and two steals. He ended the game with 12 points.
Oubre also had the most beautiful dunk of the night as he did a crossover, before flying into the air. It was a thing of beauty.
This game was the most unselfish that the Wizards have played this season. They shared the ball, and on the defensive end they helped out their man.
Great Scott
After Markieff Morris got into early foul trouble, Mike Scott came in during the first quarter. The second he touched the court, he knocked down a three-pointer. He lit up the Kings, as he shot 3-for-4 from downtown. It was just his night.
On the defensive end, he grabbed 5 rebounds. He shot 6-for-8 from the field, and finished with 15 points.
Scott has proven to be one of the best scorers off the bench, and with his hot hand, look for him to get more run with the starting lineup.
Wall finds his range
Before the Hawks game, Coach Scott Brooks said, that he would like Wall to make more threes. Ask and you shall receive. Wall opened the first quarter, knocking down back-back threes.
He was very comfortable out on the perimeter. He was also perfect from three-point range, going 4-for-4. There was no hesitation in Wall’s shots as he let the ball fly, the second he found his spot.
He also set up his teammates with 9 assists. In one particular play, he whipped the ball to Gortat on the inside, who dunked the ball – And 1.
Wall finished the game with 21 points, and whatever shooting slump he was in, that’s a thing of the past.
Marcin Gortat was very aggressive inside the paint. He hit some floaters, and battled on the boards. He pulled down 7 rebounds, and 1 block.
The Polish Machine’s aggressive style of play, placed him at the free throw line, where he made all four of his shots. He almost had a double-double with 18 points, and his 7 boards.
After the game, Coach Brooks remarked, that this was the best that Gortat has played all season.
Otto Porter, Jr. continued with his hustle, grabbing 7 rebounds and 1 steal. He finished with 15 points.
Bradley Beal was close to a triple double, as he ended the game with 14 points, including a three, 7 rebounds and 7 assists. He continues to be aggressive in the paint, drawing contact, and was perfect from the free throw line, going 4-for-4. His goal this season is to get to the line more often, and he has been doing a very good job of that, these past few games.
The Wizards’ defense continue to improve with each game, as they held the Kings to 40 percent shooting.
On Wednesday, the Wizards travel to Miami to take on the Heat.