Washington Wizards Three Takeaways: Wizards Fall To Clippers In Wacky, Wild Finish

In another game that the Washington Wizards should’ve won, they fall to the Los Angeles Clippers, in a wacky, wild finish.

In a game that featured a finish that can only be described as wild, the Washington Wizards fell to the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday, 113-112, on a Lou Williams go-ahead three pointer with 1.2 seconds remaining. The Wizards had a chance to win it on the other end and that’s where the craziness ensued.

The clock operator in Los Angeles started the clock before the Wizards inbounded the ball to Bradley Beal. By the time Beal had made his way into his shooting motion the buzzer had already sounded. The shot went in, but the refs waved it, as players looked on with confused faces.

After a brief conference and a check with the replay center in New Jersey, referees put 1.1 back on the clock, which wasn’t the correct decision according to pool reports after the game. A second chance yielded a different result as Marcin Gortat’s long attempt was short, and the Wizards failed to capitalize on a struggling Clippers team.

Why only 1.1 seconds put back onto the clock, here’s the NBA Officials twitter page:

The Wizards Blew Another Lead Late

The Wizards don’t handle leads well—no matter when they get them. They raced out to a 13-0 lead to start the game, thanks to hot shooting from Otto Porter and horrid Clipper offense. The Clippers eventually settled in, and the Wizards intensity and focus dipped. By the time the halftime buzzer sounded, the Wizards were down 62-49.

However, in the second half the Wizards fought back and eventually led 109-105 with under a minute left and Tomas Satoranksy at the line. Sato missed both free throws with a chance to put the dagger in the Clippers. Instead, Williams hit two free throws,  Porter missed a corner three, and the Wizards failed to get a defensive rebound leading to a go-ahead three by Austin Rivers.

The Wizards would respond on the next possession as Beal perfectly executed an after timeout play, scoring while getting fouled. Beal put the Wizards up two before Williams had his heroics. This was another game where the Wizards could not close—a problem that they just can’t seem to overcome. This was the Wizards fifth loss to a sub .500 team, and they will be kicking themselves when seeding becomes important come April.

Bench Once Again Shines

The second unit which was maligned earlier in the season, turned in another great performance on Saturday. Mike Scott, who has been on fire in the last handful of games, had 22 points, shooting 9-for-11 from the floor.

Before Saturday’s game, Scott hadn’t missed from the floor in three games and started this game hitting his first six shots. Scott wasn’t alone, as Sato had another strong game scoring 11 points, dishing out six assists and pulling down six rebounds.

Sato should be the backup point guard when John Wall returns this week. Finally Ian Mahinmi posted another solid showing, backing up his performance in Phoenix. Mahinmi had a season-high 14 points, and was perfect from the free throw line, 6-for-6. Head Coach Scott Brooks once again went with Mahinmi down the stretch and for the most part, that decision paid off.

Free Throws And Turnovers Prove Costly

The Wizards entered Saturday’s game as the 10^th best free throw shooting team in the league. They were not that against the Clippers, missing eight free throws, shooting 65% from the charity stripe. In a close game those always come back to bite and that was no different Saturday.

The Wizards’ best free throw shooter on the day was Mahinmi, and no offense to the big man but that can’t happen.

Washington also turned the ball over 13 times. Although the Clippers didn’t turn those turnovers into too many points, they still proved costly, because the Wizards were unable to extend the lead in the fourth quarter.

The Wizards conclude their road trip against the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday.