Wiz of Awes
Fansided

Washington Wizards grounded in 123-89 routing by Orlando Magic

By Collin Loring

ORLANDO, FL - JANUARY 8: Ish Smith #14 of the Washington Wizards grabs the rebound against the Orlando Magic on January 8, 2020 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. 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 2020 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - JANUARY 8: Ish Smith #14 of the Washington Wizards grabs the rebound against the Orlando Magic on January 8, 2020 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. 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 2020 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Washington Wizards fall to 0-4 on the season vs the Orlando Magic, losing123-89 in a blowout on the road.

The brief honeymoon is over, and the Washington Wizards have been brought down to earth. After winning two massive games over the Denver Nuggets and Boston Celtics, they were routed by the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night.

Washington started the game abnormally, for at least what they’d shown this week. The offense couldn’t find a rhythm, and shots just weren’t falling. The Wizards shot 35 percent from the field in the first quarter and missed all five of their three-point attempts to open the game.

It didn’t help that Ish Smith, the Wizards’ MVP of late, started out 0-3. He would go on to finish with just nine points on 4-if-13 from the field.

In the second quarter, the Wizards showed some signs of life. Admiral Schofield, in his best game of the season, hit back-to-back threes to give Washington a lead halfway through the quarter. But shortly after, the entire Washington team forgot how to score, period.

The Wizards gave up 69 points in the first half, and just like that, they trailed by 17 at the break. Whatever was said in the locker room, well it didn’t do the trick either. Washington came out and scored a lowly 20 points in the third while giving up 28 points to the Magic.

The Orlando lead ballooned to 25 by the end of the third and things were basically over. The final in Orlando: Magi 123, Wizards 89.

It’s hard to ask for much more from these Wizards, honestly. Entering their game against the Magic, they had only nine players available.

They all played significant minutes to the surprise of none, but with things out of reach, Ish Smith, Isaiah Thomas, and Ian Mahinmi got most of the rest in the fourth. Washington is hoping to have Bradley Beal, Davis Bertans, and Thomas Bryant back sooner than later.

There were some silver linings to this one. Troy Brown Jr kept up his hot streak with another double-double (18 points, 11 rebounds). Schofield scored a career-high 18 points. And Anžejs Pasečņiks (16 points) got more time on the NBA floor.

But, there are also some (season) low points. Per NBA.com, the Washington Wizards have the 5th ranked offense throughout the league.

But Wednesday night was the first time all season they’ve been held under 90 points.

Most of the individual scoring didn’t come until garbage time, and the starting five combined for just 28 points. The Orlando starters, on the other hand, scored 75.

Troy Brown looking confident in bench role. dark. Next

As Washington continues to be without most of their top guys, getting as much experience in now is the only priority night in and night out. The Wizards will look to rebound on Friday when they host the Eastern Conference-worst Atlanta Hawks.

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