On Wednesday, the Washington Wizards began their five-game road trip taking on the Charlotte Hornets. Washington wouldn’t have an answer for Dwight Howard, while the Hornets lit up the three-point line and the Wizards, blowing them out 133-109.
On Wednesday, the Washington Wizards began their five-game road trip. First up, the Charlotte Hornets. The last time these two teams met back in November the game went into overtime. It was a thriller, but Charlotte prevailed, as John Wall played through a knee injury that would leave him sidelined for a couple of weeks.
The Hornets hold the 11th spot in the Eastern Conference. But they played as if they were a top team against the Wizards, blowing Washington out 133-109.
This was the 16th straight game that the Wizards allowed 100 or more points.
What went wrong, besides everything? The Wizards took their bad act on the road and didn’t play any type of defense with a capital D.
First half franchise record for Hornets
Charlotte led the Wizards going into halftime, 77-61. The Hornets broke their franchise record of most points scored for the first half.
One thing the Wizards have learned by now is that they’re not going to beat a team in a shootout. Although Washington did okay offensively, shooting 53% from the field, their defense disappeared. The Hornets had 38 paint points to the Wizards 20. The Wizards were also outrebounded, 23-15.
Bradley Beal was the only Wizards starter in double digits with 20 points. The only other Wizards player in double digits to end the first half was Mike Scott with 11, and he finished the game with 18.
Would the wizards make adjustments during halftime? Find a way to beat Dwight Howard on the glass, and stop allowing the Hornets to make circus shots?
To start the second half, Brooks would go with both Markieff Morris and Scott on the floor with Wall, Beal and Otto Porter. That wasn’t the answer for Howard, as Keef wasn’t making his shots, defending shots or anything else you’re supposed to do on a basketball court.
The Hornets would end the third quarter up 102-79, and all five of their starters in double digits.
While the Wizards starters wouldn’t see the fourth quarter, as both teams would empty their bench for the final stanza.
Otto Porter doesn’t takes his shot
Lately, Otto Porter has been deferring to others on offense. Unfortunately, that trend continued in Charlotte.
He would knock down the first bucket for Washington with a nice jumper, and his second shot was a rainbow three. But he would end the game shooting 2-for-6 from the field and six points.
The Wizards aren’t going to win, whether it’s against good teams or bad, if Porter doesn’t show up.
Losing a game here and there may not seem important now. But if the Wizards don’t have home court advantage during the playoffs, they are looking at a potential first round exit.
Morris, more fouls
Markieff Morris drew his first foul in less than a minute into the game. Keef’s second foul during the first quarter was against Marvin Williams, who would knock down a three and complete the four-point play. .
Not to be outdone, Wall would foul Kemba Walker on his three-point shot, and Walker would also have a four-point play.
Later in the first quarter, Wall thought he was fouled by Walker on his way to the basket, and brought it to the ref’s attention. He was called for a technical.
Coach Scott Brooks would pick up a tech of his own during the second quarter. But here’s Keef again, picking up his third foul with less than six minutes left in the first half.
Morris would pick up his fourth foul with 6:51 left in the third quarter. At this point, Keef has more fouls than points—two.
Morris was both an offensive and defensive liability this game. He finished the game with, wait for it, two points.
Wizards starters don’t show up again
When they lost to the Bucks on Monday, I wrote that the Wizards played with half a squad, because only Bradley Beal and Wall were in double digits. Against Milwaukee, Porter (8 points), Morris (6 points), and Marcin Gortat (4 points).
Against Charlotte, Porter (6 points), Morris (2 points), Gortat (0 points, 8 rebounds). The Wizards frontcourt combined for 8 points! They didn’t show up for the second consecutive game for their second consecutive loss.
Wall was the only other starter in double digits with Beal, finishing with 12 points and nine assists.
Beal’s on fire
During the first quarter, Bradley Beal was perfect from the three-point line, 3-for-3. He also had 14 points in that quarter alone.
Beal was efficient in the first half with 20 points. He would end the game with 26 points, shooting 10-for-19 from the field, with four shots from three-point range.
During the third quarter, the sharpshooter would have a key block that would lead to a Wall three.
Kelly Oubre continues to be outstanding with 16 points, 5 rebounds and three from downtown.
Kemba didn’t walk to the basket
Kemba Walker didn’t walk to the basket, instead he lit up the three-point line, knocking down four shots from 3-point range.
The Wizards didn’t defend the perimeter. Charlotte made 15 of their 31 shots from the three.
While Marvin Williams in 17 minutes of play was perfect from everywhere: 4-for-4 from the field, 3-for-3 from the three, and 1-for-1 from the free throw line, for a total of 12 points total.
Williams finished the game with 12 points, including four 3-pointers.
Dwight Howard had 7 rebounds in the first quarter alone. He recorded a double-double with 18 points and 15 rebounds. The Wizards couldn’t stop Howard.
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist would lead all Charlotte scores with 21 points.
Off the bench, Frank Kaminsky would have nine points in eight minutes, including a three. He would have 14 points.
After collecting DNP-CDs, Tim Frazier would finally see the floor during garbage time. But with 4 minutes left he would be ejected.
https://twitter.com/NBCSWizards/status/953812628824121345
There was some levity as the Wizards got to pick who shoots the free throws, and they chose Howard. After relaxing on the bench since the third quarter, he comes back in and makes both his free throws. Salt to the wound.
On Friday, the Wizards continue their road trip in Detroit taking on the Pistons.