(Photo: Ron Turenne/NBAE via Getty Images)
Washington 107
Toronto 96
November 5, 2017, Air Canada Center, Toronto, Ontario
Without John Wall, the Washington Wizards were reeling having lost four of their last five games. Against the Toronto Raptors, they were looking to not lose five of six for the first time since last season’s 2-8 start nor fall below .500 since early this calendar year. It is too early to have called this a must win, and Scott Brooks does not believe in them unless it is an elimination game, but Washington certainly needed to get back on track in a bad way. Behind the effort of Bradley Beal, the Wizards left Canada victorious and improving to 5-4.
Future All-Star Bradley Beal
Last year, the argument can be made that Beal should have be named an alternate over Carmelo Anthony, but this year (at least at this rate and barring injury *knock on wood*) the shooting guard will be in Los Angeles for the mid-season affair. Beal had a game high 38 points on an efficient 16 of 26 (61.5 percent) shooting including 4 of 6 from deep. Beal also added 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and a steal in his nearly 40 minutes of play.
The sharpshooter now has 114 points in his last three games and joins an elite group in team history to score 35+ points in three consecutive games: Walt Bellamy, Earl Monroe, Jeff Malone, Bernard King, Gilbert Arenas. No one in franchise history has hit the 35 points mark in four straight games.
What About Otto Porter Jr. Going To L.A?
Before the season began, I offered an unlikely, yet possible prediction that the Washington Wizards would have three representatives in the All-Star game because of the outflow of talent from the Eastern to Western Conference during the offseason. John Wall and Beal should be locks, and Porter could make a strong case because of the few other options at either forward positions behind LeBron James. Porter came into Sunday night's game averaging 18.1 points on 56.2 percent shooting from the field and 50 percent from beyond the arc, 7.1 rebounds, and 2.3 steals per game. Porter put up similar numbers against Toronto with 19 points on 61.5 percent (8 of 13) shooting and 75 percent from deep (3 of 4) to go along with 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals in 33 minutes of play. He has certainly shown his worth as a max contract player and is becoming the show that the Wizards do indeed have a Big 3.
Three-Point Specialist Kelly Oubre Jr.?
Coming into this season, Oubre was a 29.6 percent (79 of 267) shooter from beyond the arc. Through nine games this season, Oubre is shooting 48.8 percent (21 of 43) from three, likely as a result of his offseason work with Drew Hanlen to tweak his shooting mechanics. Mike Scott has shown flashes of offense with the bench, but Oubre's return to the second unit once Markieff Morris is done with minutes restriction should provide a spark to the backups.
Improved Defensive Showing
After giving up 40+ points performances to opposing players in back-to-back games, the Wizards did a good job of containing the Raptors’ stars. Kyle Lowry helped with that by getting himself ejected early in the second quarter as frustration with referees boiled over, which sent him to an early shower without a made field goal. DeMar DeRozan had 26 points, but on inefficient 8 of 21 (38.1 percent) shooting from the field including missing all five of his three-pointers. Serge Ibaka also finished 2 of 8 from the field in a matchup against his first coach in Scott Brooks. There is still room for improvement as Delon Wright and Fred VanVleet should not have combined for 21 points on 10 of 14 shooting, but a step in the right direction was certainly made.
Tim Frazier Shows He Can Sub In
Having started 40 games in his NBA career before Sunday, Frazier has shown his competence to occasionally start at point guard. That was again put on display against Toronto as he finished with eight assists against no turnovers. Frazier only had 4 points on 2 of 6 shooting, but he was able to effectively run the offense in Wall’s absence. This should comfort Washington should Wall need some additional time off due to his shoulder injury now or for any other reason in the future.
Next Game: Washington begins a four game homestand, on Tuesday against the miserable 1-10 Dallas Mavericks before hosting the Lakers, Hawks, and Kings in the days afterwards. The Wizards had their early season hiccup, but now have a chance to get to 9-5 against teams that are likely lottery bound this offseason.