After losing their last three games, the Washington Wizards were looking to bounce back against the Miami Heat on Tuesday. And bounce back they did as they beat the Heat in overtime, 117-113.
After losing their last three games, the Washington Wizards were looking to bounce back against the Miami Heat on Tuesday. This game had a playoff feel. It was a nail-biter to the very end as it went into overtime, but Washington would emerge victorious, 117-113.
This was the best game of the season. Washington played with energy from start to finish, and had a fight in them that I haven’t seen this year. This is the Wizards team that I remember from the 2017 playoffs. They are back. And when John Wall returns there will be room at the top in the East.
Kelly Oubre would return to the lineup after missing his first game of the season on Sunday with a sore foot. But he didn’t let his foot off the gas as he finished with 14 points, two shots from 3-point range and perfect from the free throw line, 6-for-6.
Before we get into the takeaways, it would be remiss if Bradley Beal didn’t start off this recap. The All-Star guard was in pure shooting form. He was perfect from the three-point range on his first five attempts.
As Beal lit up Miami it would still take a team effort to put this game away. Everyone chipped in and it was a sight to behold.
Unfortunately, during the fourth quarter Otto Porter would get knocked down while going for a pass, colliding with Dwyane Wade.
As Porter went down it looked like his hip issues may have flared up. But his arms were still good as he knocked down back-to-back shots, including a three-pointer. He would leave the game to be checked out by the Wizards’ staff.
Porter would so some damage of his own before leaving, finishing with 12 points on 5-for-8 shooting, including two shots from deep.
Coach Brooks after the game said, Porter had a bruised hip.
Wizards Shine in Overtime
With 1:54 left in regulation Beal would hit a clutch three-pointer, putting Washington up 105-100.
With 22.8 second left and Wizards up 105-102, Beal would foul Wade. Wade completed the three-point play to knot up the game, 105-105.
Tomas Satoransky brought up the ball, passed it to Beal. But Beal would miss his jumper sending the game into overtime.
Washington kept it together for the bonus round, with Marcin Gortat taking a charge to give the Wizards back the ball. While Markieff Morris knocked down a clutch-corner three.
However, with 12.9 seconds left to play and Washington up 114-110, Oubre would foul Wade on a three-point attempt. That’s an elite point guard move, and Kyrie Irving did that to Washington the last time they played Boston.
Wade made all three of his foul shots. It’s now a one-point lead for Washington, 114-113, with 12.9 seconds left in overtime.
On Washington’s inbound pass, Josh Richardson would deflect the ball from Keef. The refs went to replay, and it was still Wizards ball.
Satoransky was fouled after getting the second inbound pass, and he made both his free throws. While Wade missed his shot on the other end. Oubre’s fouled, sinking both of his free throws, and the Wizards win.
Beal shot 6-for-7 from three-point range. He would finish the game leading all scorers, 30 points and seven assists.
Beal didn’t get to the free throw line, even though it was clear on one play that he was hacked by Wade. On the defensive end Beal pulled down six rebounds.
No other way to write it, Beal has been simply outstanding this season.
Wizards were red-hot
The Wizards started the first quarter off red-hot. They would knock down five-shots from 3-point range. With Beal, Porter and Sato all launching from deep.
Beal would finish the first frame with 10 points, shooting 4-for-5 from the field. He was also perfect with his three-ball, 2-for-2.
It was also nice to see Porter pushing the ball up the floor.
At the 3:52 mark Ramon Sessions made his first appearance with Washington, since returning on a 10-day contract.
Washington ended the first stanza up 31-26.
Mike Scott had the drop and Keef had the hops
Mike Scott had the drop on Miami, making his jumpers and knocking down a three-pointer. Coach Brooks would leave him in with the starters in the second quarter as the Wizards went small. He would also close out the game for Washington in regulation. Gortat was reinserted to the lineup for overtime.
Scott was just locked in. Although he finished with 8 points and two rebounds, he was very active to keep up Washington’s momentum. The backup power forward brings an unbridled energy that the Wizards feed off of.
While Markieff Morris who had five fouls going into overtime, kept his composure to close out the Heat.
Keef shot 6-for-12 from the field with 16 points. On the defensive end he crashed the boards pulling down 13 rebounds, recording a double-double.
Those two on the floor at the same time…I can’t wait for the playoffs.
Heat’s bench was a problem
Not that one could ever call future Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade a bench-player. He had 22 points in 28 minutes off the bench, and almost single-handedly won the game in crunch time.
While Tyler Johnson raced down the court to finish with 21 points, shooting 8-for-15 from the field. In fact, he led all Heat starters. He was a problem for Washington inside the paint.
Johnson would even start the second half over Luke Babbitt, as Miami stayed with their hot hand.
It was a gritty game but all hands were on deck for Washington. Brooks went with a 11-man rotation. Spreading out the minutes really helped Washington to close it out.
Sessions did what he’s good at and that’s get to the free throw line. He was perfect from the line, 4-for-4. The veteran guard finished the game with six points in 16 minutes of action.
Sato finished with 19 points and 7 assists.
The Wizards rained threes on Miami, making 14 shots from three-point range.
On Friday the Washington Wizards head to New Orleans to take on the Pelicans.