Wiz of Awes
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Washington Wizards: Wizards fall to Cavs, Rise at the same time

By Jen Julie Smith

CLEVELAND, OH - APRIL 5: John Wall #2 of the Washington Wizards goes to the basket against the Cleveland Cavaliers on April 5, 2018 at The Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - APRIL 5: John Wall #2 of the Washington Wizards goes to the basket against the Cleveland Cavaliers on April 5, 2018 at The Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 01: Tomas Satoransky #31, Otto Porter Jr. #22, and Marcin Gortat #13 of the Washington Wizards celebrate at the end of the game against the Toronto Raptors at Capital One Arena on February 01, 2018 in Washington, DC. Wizards won 122-119. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 01: Tomas Satoransky #31, Otto Porter Jr. #22, and Marcin Gortat #13 of the Washington Wizards celebrate at the end of the game against the Toronto Raptors at Capital One Arena on February 01, 2018 in Washington, DC. Wizards won 122-119. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

Victory for Washington

There were many trials and tribulations for Washington this season, but they overcame it all.

The journey to get to this point was a victory in itself.

Yes, the Wizards gave up a 17-point lead, 104-87, with 6 minutes remaining left in the game. But I wouldn’t call it a collapse.

Instead of keeping their eyes on the ball, they kept their eyes on “LeBron”.

Twice, I saw James at the top of the key directing a perimeter shooter to the three-point line, then Wizards defenders would go there, while James drove to the basket.

He played a shell game. Washington can’t take their eyes off the ball.

We’ll call that play the “Phantom Three“. Which were the six minutes of James’ success.

He was directing the Cavs offense and the Wizards defense at the same time. Don’t let him direct your defensive traffic again.

Kevin Love who had back-to-back threes in the first quarter, finished with 16 points. He was 3-for-4 from deep. While Gerald Green had 21 points.

James had 33 points, 14 assists and 9 rebounds.

As I’ve written before, the Wizards have all the ingredients, they just have to put it together. They put it together tonight. That’s what matters.

I’m not going to write who the Wizards should be worried about seeing in the first round. They have three games remaining. Play the game in front of you.

When the Wizards start the first round, let the other team worry.

On Friday, the Wizards return home to take on the Hawks.

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