Washington Wizards Three Takeaways: Wizards Served Lamb, Losing to Hornets in Overtime

On Wednesday, the Washington Wizards’ defense collapsed in the fourth quarter, sending it into overtime, as they serve Charlotte Hornets the win, 129-124.

On Wednesday, the Washington Wizards traveled to Charlotte to take on the Hornets. Although the Wizards looked like they had the game in hand, their defense collapsed in the fourth quarter, sending it into overtime. With powerful performances by Dwight Howard and Jeremy Lamb, the Wizards fall to Charlotte, 129-124.

The Wizards let their 9 point lead slip away, with 3:55 left in the game. As to why they couldn’t close out the game, Coach Scott Brooks said, that

"‘the Wizards couldn’t get stops. Charlotte was getting offensive rebounds and getting to the free throw line. There were too many mistakes down the stretch defensively, and Washington missed too many shots.’"

The free throw line definitely wasn’t a friend for the Wizards on Wednesday. They made 17 of their 22 shots. While Charlotte got to the line more, shooting 33-for-40.

Superman also came to town, as Howard dominated the paint for his second straight game, with 26 points and 13 rebounds. In Charlotte’s win against Minnesota on Monday, he had 25 points and 20 rebounds.

Of the bench, Jeremy Lamb took over for Charlotte, he had 24 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists.

Washington was in control of the game, but for some reason they focused more on offense than defense in the fourth quarter, giving Charlotte life.

Productive Wizards Bench

Mike Scott led the second unit in scoring with 13 points and 4 rebounds. His offensive efficiency has been key for Washington, as he shot 5-for-7 from the field. Scott who’s comfortable out on the perimeter, knocked down three 3-pointers.

While Jodie Meeks shots weren’t falling from the three, missing all five of his shots from deep, he ended the game with 9 points.

Kelly Oubre, Jr. was great on both ends of the floor. On the defensive end, he pulled down 4 rebounds. He made both his free throws, and knocked down a three, finishing the game with 9 points.

Although Ian Mahinmi only had 3 points, he put in quality minutes grabbing 5 rebounds.

However, on the other side of the floor, during the second quarter, the Wizards bench couldn’t contain Lamb, who was getting shots on the perimeter and inside the paint. When Nicolas Batum (elbow contusion) didn’t return after halftime, Lamb stayed in the game, and then became a problem for the Wizards’ starting lineup.

Superman came to town and brought along a friend

Dwight Howard just couldn’t be contained. Although the league has changed to a pace and space era, Howard hasn’t changed his game. Thankfully for Charlotte he didn’t add the three-ball to his repertoire. He did what he does best, and that’s crash the boards and whomever is in his way.

Marcin Gortat did a good job battling Howard for the rebounds, but Howard was just too much.

Howard did his signature dunks, but he always seemed to be there for the putback as well. He left nothing to chance, and was locked in on both ends of the floor.

Not only did Howard lead all Hornets’ scorers with 26 points, but he made 6 of his free throws.

Then off the bench, Jeremy Lamb was just playing at another level. He was everywhere on the floor, and it didn’t matter where he took his shot, they were falling.

In addition to his 24 points on the offensive end, he had 7 rebounds. Lamb was playing the game in a playoff mentality. He knocked down three 3-pointers, and was perfect from the free throw line, making all 3 of his shots.

The shooting guard for good measure served up 5 assists.

Second serving as game goes into overtime

The Wizards started and finished off the game with energy. Bradley Beal, Otto Porter, and Markieff Morris, all came out in the first quarter with guns blazing, each knocking down a three.  While John Wall led all scorers with 31 points and 11 assists.

Offensively, Washington performed really well. Maybe too well, because they took it for granted down the stretch, and for whatever reason stopped playing defense.

Not only defense, but their mental focus was off as well. In the fourth quarter, they played like it was garbage minutes, and had the game in hand. Put quite simply, they took their eyes off the ball and looked at the clock as if the game was over. They were up by 9 points with 3:55 remaining, so they got this.

Charlotte saw that the Wizards’ defense collapsed — that they were being lackadaisical — and the Hornets went in for the sting.

With 9.3 seconds left in the game, the Wizards were up by one,113-112. Beal is fouled, and misses his second free throw. Charlotte gets the rebound.

Guarded by Wall, Kemba Walker missed the layup, but is fouled by Wall. Walker makes both his free throws, and the game’s knotted up at 114-114, with two seconds left in regulation. The ball is inbounded to Beal, he shoots and it’s blocked by Howard. The game goes into overtime.

In the end, the Wizards gave up 23 second chance points, while Charlotte only gave up 8. Charlotte had 14 offensive rebounds to Washington’s 8.

Beal (22 points, including three from 3-point range); Porter (12 points, including 2 from deep); Morris (14 points, 8 rebounds); and Gortat (8 points, 11 rebounds).

Not taking anything away from Charlotte, because they played a good game, but the Wizards gave this game away, by not playing defense to close it out.

On Saturday, the Wizards return home to play the Portland Trail Blazers.