Wizards: 3 Takeaways From Road Win Over Phoenix Suns

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 8:07 p.m. ET

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Mar 7, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (right) drives to the basket as he is fouled by Phoenix Suns forward Marquese Chriss (0) in the fourth quarter at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Wizards defeated the Suns 131-127. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Washington Wizards won their second game in a row Tuesday night. Here's a look at some keys in their recent win.

Things got a bit chippy in the the Washington Wizards and Phoenix Suns game on Tuesday, but the Wizards found a way to win. They trailed by as many as 11 points in the third quarter. But a string of runs late in the game got them a 121-117 victory.

The Wizards did allow 117 points, but they also forced 19 turnovers and had 15 steals. Not only did John Wall and Bradley Beal step up, so did the bench once again.

Led by Bojan Bogdanovic's 29 points off the bench, the Wizards also got strong contributions from big men Ian Mahinmi and Jason Smith.

With center Marcin Gortat in early foul trouble, Mahinmi and Smith stepped up in a big way. Mahinmi played 26 minutes, the most he's played all season. He made the most of his playing time with Gortat in foul trouble.

Mahinmi recorded 15 points, nine rebounds, seven steals and a block off the bench. He's showing that he's healthy and can still be a productive paint presence for the Washington Wizards.

Smith played 23 minutes in the game despite not playing in four of the team's last six games. He grabbed six rebounds and scored 17 points on 6-of-7 shooting off the bench. Smith stepped up in a big way despite playing limited minutes with other players getting time over him.

He's patiently waited his turn and produced when needed.

Here are three takeaways from the Wizards' win over the Suns.

Mar 5, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard Bojan Bogdanovic (44) is congratulated by forward Otto Porter Jr. (22) after making a three point basket against the Orlando Magic during the second half at Verizon Center. The Washington Wizards won 115-114. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Bench Players Step Up

At this juncture, coaching staff knows what they're going to get out of guards John Wall and Bradley Beal. Against the Suns, the duo combined for 52 points with Wall dishing out 14 assists.

The Washington Wizards bench put up a season-high 65 points Tuesday night. Their previous season-high was 50 bench points against the Brooklyn Nets back on Dec. 30.

Center Ian Mahinmi also had seven steals in the game, a new career-high.

With the bench stepping up its play, the Wizards could see their status in the East move in a more positive direction. They're still in good shape at third in the conference. But home-court advantage throughout the entire playoffs would loom huge for this team.

The Wizards trail the Boston Celtics by a game and the Cleveland Cavaliers by four games for the top spot in the Eastern Conference. They are 3-1 in the month of March, but they still have to tighten up their defense.

Mar 7, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (right) drives to the basket as he is fouled by Phoenix Suns forward Marquese Chriss (0) in the fourth quarter at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Wizards defeated the Suns 131-127. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Free Throws Save The Day

The Washington Wizards shot 53 free throws in Tuesday night's game against the Phoenix Suns. As a team, they made 42-of-53 in the game. It is their most attempts this season, easily eclipsing the 40 free throws they shot against the Philadelphia 76ers on Feb. 24.

Forward Bojan Bogdanovic didn't score his 29 points by scoring a lot of threes, surprisingly. He did make 5-of-9 shots. But he also made 16 free throws in the game, going a perfect 16-for-16 from the line.

Bogdanovic set a franchise record in the process.

It was another close game, but Bogdanovic's ability to draw fouls and get to the free throw line inevitably saved the day. He went 7-for-7 from the free throw line in the fourth quarter on his way to scoring 12 points in the period.

It also didn't help reserve point guard Brandon Jennings was ejected for his role after an on-court altercation between teammate Jason Smith and Suns forward Jared Dudley. Fans have still yet to see Jennings fully in the rotation, but there's still time with 20 games left in the season.

Oct 30, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Washington Wizards forward Otto Porter Jr (22) reacts to a call in the first quarter during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

Bench Play Offsets Slumping Porter

Since the All-Star break, the Wizards have found ways to win by utilizing their bench players, old and new. It seems with some new blood in the rotation, guys on the bench have figured out new roles as well.

Bench play continues to offset the slumping play of forward Otto Porter Jr. as well. He shot 1-for-6 against Phoenix and was 0-for-1 from three. Porter is shooting 36.4 percent from the floor and 27.3 percent from three since the All-Star Break ended.

Despite allowing 53 fast-break points and 30 points off turnovers, the Washington Wizards are still finding ways to get wins. With 65 bench points to the Suns' 40 points off the bench, the Wizards got away with a win in this one.

But with the playoffs approaching they'll need to start getting Porter going sooner rather than later.

Porter just needs to produce when given the opportunity. He has made five or more three pointers in six games so far this season. With this road trip just getting started, look for him to find his rhythm along with the rest of the team.

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