Washington Wizards Three Takeaways: The Nets Beat the Wizards, 103-98
On Tuesday, the Washington Wizards concluded their five-game road trip against the Brooklyn Nets. Although the Wizards were playing against a .400 team in the Nets, Brooklyn would come out on top, 103-98.
On Tuesday, the Washington Wizards concluded their five-game road trip against the Brooklyn Nets. Although the Wizards were playing against a .400 team in the Nets, Brooklyn would come out on top, 103-98.
Although the Wizards’ bench put in another powerful performance, with the exception of Bradley Beal, the starters did not show up.
The Wizards only had three players in double-digits, while the Nets had seven.
For whatever reason, the Wizards have been unable to close out another game. It’s a mystery as to why things seem to fall apart for Washington in the final minutes. But tonight, it came down to poor execution, lack of communication, and a lack of focus. The Wizards beat themselves.
John Wall was still out, recovering from a knee injury. According to TNT’s David Aldridge, the All-Star point guard will most likely return to action on Wednesday, when the Wizards take on the Grizzlies.
Ian Mahinmi, was also out for the first time this season, with a sore right knee. With Mahinmi out, Jason Smith saw the floor.
Beal led all scorers going into halftime with 18 points, while Markieff Morris had another slow start with 2 points.
In 19 minutes of play, Keef would end the game with 6 points and 1 rebounds. This was another game, where Keef didn’t see the fourth quarter. On a positive note, that allows him to get more rest, so he’s healthy down the stretch.
Marcin Gortat had a strong performance, but only in the first half. Where he had 9 rebounds to go along with 5 points and 3 assists. But, the wheels fell off in the second half. So Brooks went with Smith to close out the fourth, and only reinserted Gortat with 8 second seconds left. Gortat ended the game with 9 rebounds, 5 points and 3 assists.
Let’s look at how the rest of the game played out.
Wizards’ bench continues to impress
Mike Scott continues his consistency, ending the game with 8 points and 5 rebounds. He shot 4-for-7 from the field. However, it was surprising that he wasn’t kept in, to close out the fourth quarter. He stays locked and loaded, and remains focus.
While Kelly Oubre, who went scoreless against the Clippers, bounced back with 12 points and 9 rebounds. After the game, he said, that the Wizards have been complacent.
Jason Smith had high energy with 9 points and 5 rebounds. He also did a good job on the defensive end, standing his ground and drawing two charge calls.
Mistakes made in final two minutes
With 1:56 left, the Wizards were down 97-95. Beal was fouled and he made one of his free throws. Porter would pull down a crucial rebound on the other end. However, the Wizards weren’t able to convert. But after the Nets missed a long jumper, Beal would go coast-to-coast for a floater, putting Washington up, 98-97.
But then after the timeout, Allen Crabbe would knock down an open three, putting the Nets up 100-98, with 43.8 seconds left. Crabbe had too much airspace.
Beal would miss his jumper. The Wizards didn’t box out, and weren’t able to grab the offensive rebound. So, with 9.5 seconds left, the Wizards had no choice but to foul. It was a non-shooting foul, but Nets still had possession.
The Wizards fouled again, and with 8.8 seconds left, Spencer Dinwiddie missed his first free throw, but made his second. The Wizards down 101-98, still with 8.8 seconds on the clock. Brooks called a timeout.
Who would take the thee-point shot? Tomas Satoransky inbounded it to Beal, but the Wizards was called for a rare five-second violation, on Sato’s inbound pass. Nets’ possession. Oubre fouls. Nets make both their free throws. Game over.
Coach Scott Brooks on his starters
After the game, Coach Brooks had this to say about the starters’ dismal performance:
"“I thought our guys off the bench did a great job of competing. We gotta get more effort from our starters–bottom line. The starters gotta come in and give us effort. Third quarter they [the Nets] built a lead. You got to play with effort, got to play with energy, got to play with force, and if you do that we will live with the results.”"
He was then asked by Chris Miller of NBC Sports Washington: “The starting four and five have struggled for the last couple of games. Is it time for you to change the minutes again?”
"“The game will dictate your minutes, I’m only entitled to give minutes to guys that are going to compete. I’ll do accordingly, like I did tonight. It’s about competing, and it’s about being focused, and it’s about paying attention to the details. It doesn’t matter who you are, you gotta be in the right frame of mind to have success in this league. It’s not an easy league to compete in. And sure not an easy league, if you’re not competing for your teammates.”"
Otto Porter, after scoring 27 points against the Clippers, ended the game with 11 points and 5 rebounds. Beal led all scorers with 28 points.
The Wizards still have a shot at reaching the Eastern Conference Finals, but if they continue to compete at this level, they are looking at a first round exit.
Tough decisions have to be made. Players’ egos will have to be put aside for the good of the team.
On Wednesday, the Wizards return home to take on the Memphis Grizzlies.