Washington Wizards: Wizards top Knicks to end 5 game skid

The Washington Wizards beat the New York Knicks 108-95, allowing them to snap their 5-games losing streak.

It finally happened, the Washington Wizards won their second game by beating the New York Knicks Sunday night. Granted it was against a poor Knicks roster, but a win is a win.

John Wall led the team with 26 points and 7 assists, while Bradley Beal added 22 points and 8 rebounds. Wall was still to high in the turnover category with 4, but an improvement from last game nonetheless.

Dwight Howard had 10 points and 10 rebounds, the only double-double on the team and the first of the season for the big man. Even though the stats don’t really portray it, he was clearly the most valuable player on the floor with a plus/minus of +27. Howard was able to establish an interior presence that gave the Wizards the momentum throughout the game.

Markieff Morris had a solid night producing 16 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists. You can really see how he’s more effective when Howard is in the game. Morris was able to space the floor and play to his true self.

Scott Brooks also made the right call in taking Morris out earlier in the first quarter to bring him back in when Howard needed a rest. This played perfectly to the Wizards advantage. Morris has the skill-set to provide mismatches for big men, especially when it’s players from their second unit.

Jeff Green made a nice contribution off the bench with 14 points and 9 rebounds. Otto Porter Jr. wasn’t able to suit up due to a toe issue, but I can’t say that the Wizards missed him that much. Kelly Oubre Jr. filled in smoothly at the starting small forward position.

Oubre didn’t take that many shots and only ended with 9 points, but was extremely effective on the defensive end. Beal and Oubre contained Tim Hardaway Jr. to seven points on 2-10 shooting. Hardaway came in averaging 25 points per game.

The biggest takeaway from this game is that Washington was able to hold the Knicks to 95 points. This is the first game that the Wizards have held their opponent to under 100 points. I know it’s the Knicks and they don’t have much star power, but with the way Washington has been performing on the defensive end, this was a win.

The Wizards still got out-rebounded by New York, but it wasn’t as lopsided as the previous games. Washington also cut down on their turnovers which always helps.

The team plays the Dallas Mavericks next, followed by the Orlando Magic and the Miami Heat. All winnable games. Let’s hope this win gets the wheels churning and the team can start a nice little winning streak.

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