Surging Wizards Continue to Climb Standings with Win Over Indiana
By
Ray Rogers (@UrbanSports_Ray)
Prior to Wednesday night’s home
matchup versus the Indiana Pacers, the Washington Wizards last saw this Pacers
team in DC on March 5th dating back to last season. In that game,
the Wizards played well, built a double digit lead, lost shooting guard Bradley
Beal to injury, had no answer for Pacers SF Paul George, saw their lead dwindle
and ultimately lost a close game. Wednesday
night’s game at Verizon center was eerily similar in a game where Beal was
again lost to injury, Paul George poured in 34 points, and the Wizards led by
as many as 13 points and were ahead 85-74 heading into the fourth quarter. The Wizards saw their lead shrink to 2 points,
however this time the Wizards closed the game strong and were victorious
111-105. What made the difference in the outcome of this game? In my opinion it
was largely due to the excellent play of small forward Otto Porter Jr.
Porter netted 22 points on sixty
percent shooting that comprised of 50% from three-point range including a huge
three pointer that put the Wizards up 99 - 94 with 1:40 to play in the fourth
quarter. Porter’s play was so significant in large part due to the loss of Beal
as well as the Wizards needing someone to step up late in games. As a reminder,
it was Beal who missed a three-point shot that would have resulted in a Wizards
victory over these Pacers on 12/19 at Indiana which in ways left this team
looking for second option for late game scoring behind all star guard John
Wall. Wall was sensational as always scoring a game high 36 points to go along with 11 rebounds and nine
assists. As great as this performance was, help was needed and help was
received by way of Porter.
Having a reliable and most
importantly a consistent second scoring option will be critical moving forward
as result of Beal being injured with such regularity. With this victory, the
Wizards moved ahead of Indiana in the standings and hope to be a mainstay in the
top eight of the eastern conference. The
league is taking notice of the Wizards improved play following their eighth win
in their last eleven games and when talking with Pacers starting PG Jeff Teague
after his team’s loss he acknowledged that these games are vital in terms of
seeding and playoff implications. My brief interview with Teague here: Jeff Teague
Maintaining a focus on moving up the
standings and returning to the post season will need to entail the Wizards
striving to continue growing in all phases especially team defense and free
throw shooting (27/37 on FT’s tonight). Otto Porter, who was 7/7 from the free
throw line and arguably the team’s best defender may be the right guy to lead
this surge.
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