Washington Wizards Three Takeaways: Wizards Complete Comeback In Brooklyn, 118-113
Washington Wizards Three Takeaways: Wizards found themselves down by 16 points against the Brooklyn Nets, but completed a late comeback to win.
With just six wins prior to Monday night’s game against the Brooklyn Nets, the Washington Wizards should be playing with a sense of urgency.
But for some reason, the team has lacked enthusiasm and continues to wait until the final moments before turning it up, especially on the defensive end of the floor.
Washington found themselves down by 16 points to the Brooklyn Nets, who are also in the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings.
In the second half, the team showed fight, forcing consecutive turnovers.
John Wall put pressure on the ball and Otto Porter got a number of steals by getting in the passing lane. Minutes into the third quarter, the Wizards cut the double-digit deficit to 9 and gained a lead of their own.
That sort of hustle and intensity on the defensive end should be played for 48 minutes – not just the final 24 or less.
The Wizards – once again – only have six wins. There’s no reason for them to play relaxed basketball. We’re a quarter of the way into the 2016-17 NBA season. It’s now or never, as I said earlier.
Led by the backcourt, the team completed the much-needed comeback win in Brooklyn, 118-113.
Wall hits, but settles too often
John Wall has a tendency to settle for jump shots against lesser competition.
Teams that struggle are more willing to give up looks from the perimeter, allowing Wall to beat them from mid-range and from three.
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Even with Jeremy Lin in the lineup, the Nets have one of the worst point guard rotations in the league.
Wall should be looking to attack the basket every chance he gets, knowing that the opposition can’t stop him from getting inside.
Still, he’s dared to shoot and he takes it every time.
Isaiah Whitehead wouldn’t be a rotation player for any other team in the league, yet Wall continued to settle for outside shots against the Nets’ guard.
He finished the game with 25 points and 13 assists on 10 of 19 shooting from the field.
Wall knocked down key shots from the elbow area in the clutch, but it would’ve been nice to see him actually utilize the mismatch by getting to the basket.
Cook Book is missed
It’s no secret that the Washington Wizards have lacked talent throughout the years, and while Trevor Booker isn’t a household name, the team could certainly use him right now.
Washington let Booker walk in free agency a few years ago and replaced him with Kris Humphries, who produced just as much as Booker on the floor. But right now, the team lacks his energy.
Booker scored 14 points and grabbed 14 rebounds. He’s having the best season of his career in Brooklyn.
I have family overseas that I don’t miss as much as Trevor Booker.
Oubre needs to be a regular in the rotation
It’s been 21 games and Kelly Oubre still hasn’t solidified his spot in the rotation. Right now, he’s been one of the only reliable options the Washington Wizards have coming off the bench.
His offensive numbers are going to fluctuate, but that tends to happen with players who played less than 700 minutes in their rookie season. His willingness to defend and rebound are often not recognized by the stat sheet, though.
The bench has been horrific. Oubre has been a bright spot, even when his shot isn’t falling.
He scored 10 points and grabbed 5 rebounds in 17 minutes against the Nets.
Washington will return home on Tuesday to face the Orlando Magic.
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