(Photo: Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
Wizards 100
Clippers 91
December 15, 2017 | Capital One Arena | Washington, D.C.
Six days after blowing the matchup in Los Angeles, the Washington Wizards had revenge on their mind as they wanted to end the narrative that they struggle against sub-.500 teams. Although they did let an 18-point lead dwindle into a tie game with 5:30 left in the game, the home team was able to take care of business against the Clippers this time around. The Wizards, now 16-13, moved to 13-1 when holding opponents under 100 points.
Both Teams Struggled Shooting
Los Angeles shot 38.8 percent (33 of 85) from the field, 29.2 percent (7 of 24) from three, and 62.1 percent (18 of 29) from the free throw line. Washington shot 44.3 percent (39 of 88) from the field, 22.6 percent (7 of 31) from three, and 65.2 percent (15 of 23) from the free throw line.
For the Clippers, some of that is a result of being without Patrick Beverley, Danilo Gallinari, Blake Griffin, Austin Rivers, and Milos Teodosic, five rotation players, but the Wizards also forced them into tougher shots as Lou Williams finished 5 of 14 from the field after dropping 35 points on them less than a week ago. For the home team, in the last 16 games, including tonight, Washington has only shot over 50 percent in three games (at Milwaukee, at Phoenix, and at these same Clippers) and Scott Brooks is cognizant of the poor shooting, too.
Mike Scott Is The Biggest Bargain EVER
Over the last six games, Scott has scored 80 points on 34 of 43 shooting (79 percent). He agrees that this is the best stretch of his five-year NBA career and he is making a mere $1.7 million on a minimum veteran’s contract. Read about Scott's journey from sucking to sulking to succeeding here.
Bradley Beal Diversifying His Game
For years, the Real Deal Beal has been known as just a scorer with a pretty jump shot. Not anymore. On the brink of his first All-Star appearance, Bradley Beal put on a stat-stuffing show in front of his mother and trainer, Drew Hanlen, to the tune of 20 points on 9 of 18 shooting, 11 rebounds, four assists, two steals, and a block. It is the ninth double-double of Beal’s career and fifth time that he has had a 20-10 game with rebounds.
“That's another thing that makes him a reason to be an All-Star,” John Wall said of his backcourt mate. “When a guy is just scoring, people are, 'Ok he is just scoring and not doing other things.' Everyone was like KD (Kevin Durant) can't win MVP because he can't do other things but then he started rebounding, started adding assists and started blocking shots. That makes Brad more of a tough player. He is willing to except the double team, that's a lot of credit and means you are great player in this league. He is willing to make the passes every time and hoping that guys find the right teammate and make the right plays. Then him being able to rebound helps us out a lot, because he can start the break come into his shot and shoot transition threes or attack the basket.”
Tomas Satoransky Has Secured The Bag
Here, the bag is the primary backup point guard role to four-time All-Star John Wall. For the second game in a row, Satoransky was the first guy off the bench for Wall, mainly because he was on a minute’s restriction, but Tim Frazier has only played 9 minutes over those two games compared to Satoransky’s 35 minutes. Frazier only saw time against the Clippers because Satoransky was shifted to small forward due to injury. Satoransky had 11 points on 4 of 6 shooting to go with 3 rebounds and 3 assists. Despite having three turnovers in his first six minutes of play, which is the same number he had in his previous 10 games, Brooks stuck with the 6-foot-7 guard, which highlights the growing trust. “It means that sometimes you have a reward for good work. ... I'm glad for the recognition,” Satoransky said after Wednesday’s game.
Legit Concern for Otto Porter Jr.
Just three minutes into the game, Porter left the game with two personal fouls, but then quickly headed for the locker room with the what the team would later describe as a right thigh bruise. He would stay there for the rest of the game to receive treatment. This comes two nights after taking a physical beating against the Grizzlies where he took several shots to his lower half including one near the family jewels. “He got hit in the hip area and is in a lot of pain,” Brooks said after the game. “We’ll see how he feels tomorrow, but right now it’s just day-to-day.”
Next Game: In a rematch of two Eastern Conference titans, the Wizards will welcome the Cleveland Cavaliers and hope that LeBron James does not drop another 57 points on the road. Washington will be in a tough spot if Porter has to miss the big matchup.