Wizards 129
Nets 108
March 24, 2017 – Verizon Center, Washington, D.C.
This game was pretty boring because Washington dominated the entire way besides a poor third quarter defensively which Scott Brooks attributed to relaxing and Bradley Beal put on giving up too many layups. Because of other happenings around the league, the Wizards officially clinched a playoff spot with 10 games in hand despite a 2-8 start to the season.
1st quarter
One could partially excuse the slow start against the Atlanta Hawks because they are a playoff team, but you begin to shake your head when the 15-56 Brooklyn Nets start the game on a 13-4 run. On the one hand, it is nice that the Wizards can comeback from a fairly big deficit, but it is not something that will always work in the playoffs.
John Wall coast to coast:
John Wall, playing through a migraine that began this morning, decided to put Brooklyn away early with 12 first quarter points to go along with five dimes. Washington ended the quarter on a 27-9 run, which was indicative of things to come the following frame. After one quarter, the home team led 31-22.
2nd quarter
To start the quarter, the Wizards bench went on a 14-4 run to take the overall run to a whopping 41-13 advantage that should have forced the referees to call a tko. Washington was later on a 55-18 run if you find that more impressive. Everything seemed to be clicking for the Wizards second unit. Kelly Oubre made a couple jump shots, Ian Mahinmi dropped 11 points in the first half, and Brandon Jennings, well, he deserves his own paragraph. But first, THIS:
Coming into tonight, Jennings’ assists per 36 with the Wizards of 12.8, which is absolutely absurd. That is more than a full assist better than James Harden’s 11.1. His shot is slowly coming along as he made his fifth three-pointer with Washington in the second quarter, but his passing off the bench has been the best in the John Wall era. Jennings added another 5 assists in 11 first half minutes tonight so next time he doesn't play the greatest defense or misses a jump shot, remember his superb dime production outweighs it. Washington led 63-42 at halftime.
3rd quarter
Takeaway the start of halves and this game was quite good for Washington. It is a wee bit concerning that the Wizards did not step on Brooklyn’s throat out of intermission. The Nets started out on an 8-3 run and maintained a lead in the quarter. At one point, Brooklyn got to within 14, 91-77, and even Andrew Nicholson made a jump shot.
From a defensive perspective, the third quarter was a complete and absolute nightmare. Washington gave up a season third quarter worst 39 points. Brooklyn shot a ridiculous 72.7 percent from the field. The Wizards were able to maintain a 97-81 thanks to a 34 points offensive quarter themselves, but you can count on the fact that Scott Brooks let his team hear it.
4th quarter
The defense still was not great in the quarter, but there were lots of things to smile about. Brandon Jennings hit three three-pointers in the frame finishing with four in the game, as many as he had with Washington previously. Rookie center Daniel Ochefu had a nice cutting dunk to get the Wizards bench, full of the starters, on their feet in happiness as this group is close 1 through 15. Most importantly, the starters played zero minutes and zero seconds in the last quarter for the first time this season.
After the game, Washington clinched a playoff spot thanks to losses Detroit and Chicago.
#WizNets in a Tweet
The Game’s Top Performer
Brandon Jennings – 18 points, 9 assists, 4 three-pointers, 3 rebounds, 0 turnovers
Easily the point guard’s best performance with Washington. Nets head coach Kenny Atkinson may have jinxed his own team by noting how Jennings killed Brooklyn when with the Knicks as the ball handler had highlight reel play after highlight reel play tonight. For the first time in a decade, the Wizards have a backup point guard to feel confident in.
A forgettable night for…
Jeremy Lin
The Nets point guard was 5 of 13 from the field including 1 of 5 from deep. At least he is smart.
Key Stat of the Night
The Wizards bench had as many points as Devin Booker tonight and that turned out to be a good thing. Washington’s 6-13 rotation, excluding inactives, dropped 70 points. Not only was that a season-high but that was more than the starters 59.
What’s next?
Washington has a brutal five game road trip starting tomorrow against Cleveland. In a time of lots of debate around resting, let’s hope that LeBron James and friends do so again because as much as the Wizards have improved, they still lack the Cavs level talent. If Washington can somehow go 3-2 on this road trip, which also includes both LA’s, Utah, and Golden State, then it will be a success.