Washington Wizards Three Takeaways: Mike Scott shines as the Wizards beat the Clippers
After losing to the Clippers less than a week ago, the Washington Wizards redeemed themselves with the win, 100-91. While Mike Scott, off the bench, put in another powerful performance.
On Friday, the Washington Wizards hosted the Los Angeles Clippers. After falling to the Clippers less than a week ago, the Wizards redeemed themselves with the win,100-91.
The Clippers were without Austin Rivers (concussion), Danilo Gallinari (glute), Milos Teodosic (rest), and Blake Griffin (knee). While Patrick Beverley is out for the rest of the season (microfracture surgery).
Markieff Morris returned to the Wizards’ lineup, after missing Wednesday’s matchup due to injury.
For the second game in a row, Tomas Satoransky was the backup point guard for John Wall.
Mike Scott would knock down the first 3-pointer of the game with less than 3 minutes left in the first quarter. Then Bradley Beal would hit one of his own.
During the second quarter, there was no sign of Otto Porter, Jr. He only played 3 minutes to start the game. Chris Miller of NBC Sports Washington reported, that he had a right thigh bruise, and was being looked at by the medical staff. Porter didn’t return to the game.
At one point the Wizards were up by 18 points, but let their lead slip away, and by halftime they were only up by 5 points, 48-43.
Mike Scott is still stupendous
In his first 12 minutes of play, Scott was perfect from the field, going 5-for-5. To end the first half, he led all scorers with 12 points, and was the only Wizards player in double digits.
He was just making unbelievable shots, that just didn’t look they would go in. But by Scott they did.
He’s on a one-year veteran minimum with the Wizards. Hopefully, Scott remains with the team next season, because his stock has surely gone up.
Once again Scott played locked and loaded from the time he stepped onto the court until he sat down. He only missed one shot, and went 9-for-10 from the field. Scott ended the game with 22 points. His consistency continues to be a thing of beauty.
Did Sato move up a spot?
With Wall’s return, this is the second game that Tomas Satoransky has been his backup. The second unit’s offense flows more smoothly with him on the court.
Sato’s first bucket was a beautiful floater. He is aggressive, and is not afraid to take it to the rim. During the fourth quarter, he had a reverse layup.
He ended the game with 11 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists in 19 minutes.
While Sato played 19 minutes, Tim Frazier only played three.
Closing out the game
When Frazier finally entered the game in the fourth quarter, Sato was still on the floor. That lineup didn’t work out so well, because the Clippers came within 5 points with 9 minutes left.
With 6:52 left the game was knotted up at 79. After the timeout, Beal knocked down a three.
Lou Williams would hit a three, and knotted at 88 with 5:12 left. Kelly Oubre would foul DeAndre Jordan. It was a non-shooting foul.
Keef would steal the inbound pass and lay it up on the other end.
Wall would knock down his first 3-pointer of the game, but it was crucial. Then after Beal hit his jumper, the Wizards went on a 7-0 run. With Washington up 89-82, Coach Rivers called a timeout.
Kelly Oubre had a baseline three, and was knocked to the floor. It was a great play. He went to the line to complete the four-point play.
After Wall made his jumper, and was fouled, he completed the three-point play. Wall would make a beautiful dish to Marcin Gortat.
The game shouldn’t have been so close, because the Clippers roster was depleted. But the Wizards didn’t let this one slip away.
Bradley Beal had his second double-double of the season, with 20 points and 11 rebounds. While Wall had 15 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Oubre ended the game with 8 points.
Lou Williams led all scorers with 23 points.
After the game, Coach Scott Brooks said, Porter got hit in the hip area, and he’s day-to-day.
On Sunday, the Wizards host the Cleveland Cavaliers.