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Washington Wizards: Wizards Bench Shines in Victory over Minnesota

By C. Denton Day

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 28: Mike Scott #30 of the Washington Wizards handles the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves on November 28, 2017 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 Jordan Johnson/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 28: Mike Scott #30 of the Washington Wizards handles the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves on November 28, 2017 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 Jordan Johnson/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – NOVEMBER 28: Tomas Satoransky #31 of the Washington Wizards drives to the basket against Tyus Jones #1 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the game on November 28, 2017 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – NOVEMBER 28: Tomas Satoransky #31 of the Washington Wizards drives to the basket against Tyus Jones #1 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the game on November 28, 2017 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

The Washington Wizards’ bench put in a spectacular performance, and Washington’s best game this season, as they beat the Minnesota Timberwolves, 92-89.

On Tuesday, the Washington Wizards traveled to Minnesota to take on the Timberwolves. They were without their star John Wall. On top of that, Bradley Beal scored eight points, shooting 2-of-11. Taking that into consideration most people would then ask, “How much did they lose by?”

If that’s you, haha jokes on you–the Wizards won. The team escaped with a 92-89 victory, a victory that could be a turning point for their season.

I will admit it seems silly to label a game as the turning point in late November. But I’m holding my ground with this one.

With no Wall and an off night from Beal, the team easily could have rolled over. Instead, the bench stepped up to the plate, delivering one of the most memorable performances in recent memory. The second unit proved it has real potential to shine down the stretch this season.

Combining for 49 of the teams 92 points, the bench played sensational. Each player had some form of positive impact on the game. And every bench player had a plus/minus of 12 or more. Only the second time this season, that each bench player had been positive in that category.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – NOVEMBER 28: Kelly Oubre Jr. #12 of the Washington Wizards shoots the ball against Taj Gibson #67 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the game on November 28, 2017 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – NOVEMBER 28: Kelly Oubre Jr. #12 of the Washington Wizards shoots the ball against Taj Gibson #67 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the game on November 28, 2017 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

Kelly Oubre (16 points), Jodie Meeks (12 points) and Mike Scott (12 points) led the way. It would be silly to proclaim the team’s bench problems were solved after just one game. But this game did show us a lot about the bench.

The bench’s potential

For starters, Mike Scott should never record a DNP-CD, (Did Not Play – Coaches Decision), again this season. He is far too great of an asset to not see the floor.

He’s averaging 23.2 points per game per 100 possessions, and has a true shooting percentage of 62.2.

Oubre is having the best start to the season of his young career. Averaging 20.1 points per game per 100 possessions, with a true shooting percentage of 55.7. Oubre is blossoming into a great sixth man option right before our eyes.

Meeks averages 22 points per game per 100 possessions. His long-range shooting could improve, shooting only 30.8 percent from three-point range. But so far he’s been a great asset to the team.

Possibly the biggest surprise of the night was Ian Mahinmi’s play down the stretch. Mahinmi proved he could have a positive impact down the stretch of a close game. He pulled down 8 rebounds, including an assist to Scott, who tied the game at 87-87 with a three-pointer. That might have been Mahinmi’s best game as a Wizard.

If nothing else the bench as a whole proved to be capable of shifting the game positively for Washington. The team will not need the bench to score 49 points every game to win. Thank God.

But having a bench that is capable of reaching that mark his an incredible luxury. In an 82-game season, the stars are going to have off games. For the bench to be able to play well during those games, is what separates good teams from great teams.

Once Wall returns, Head Coach Scott Brooks will be faced with a tough choice in terms of reducing minutes. That is not necessarily a bad problem to have.

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