[D.C. Council: setting the scene, rating the starters, assessing the subs, providing the analysis, and catching anything that you may have missed. Unlike the real DC Council, everything here is on the table. Game No. 41, Washington Wizards vs Minnesota Timberwolves; contributors: Adam McGinnis and John Converse Townsend from the Verizon Center.]
No place like home? If you say so, lady.
The Kings have more wins at home (12) than the Wiz have on the season (11). The Wizards haven’t beat the Kings in D.C. since their 136-133 OT win in 2010.
Washington Wizards 94 vs. Sacramento Kings 96 [box score]
MVP: Emeka Okafor. 23 points (9-for-13 FG), 15 rebounds, three assists, one steal, and a game-high plus/minus of plus-19.
Stat of the Game: Uh, turnovers. The Wizards committed 20 turnovers, twice as many as the Kings … in a close game that featured 11 lead changes and 16 ties.
Rating five Wizards starters & two key subs on a three-star scale.
Against the Kings, Wall showcased why his return to the court has brought so much excitement to Wizards fans, while also highlighting the areas of his game that need improvement in order for him to be considered among the NBA elite. The Kings’ porous defense was no match for Wall’s speed as he got to the rim with ease in both half court and fast break situation, and he continued to show an uncanny ability to find teammates in the corner for 3-point shots. Wall had 19 points, six assists, and two turnovers in a season-high 30 minutes. Wall’s inability to be a spot up 3-point threat himself, however, hampered the flow of offense, and, at times, he struggled to check Isaiah Thomas, which ended up being huge factor in the Wizards disappointing defeat.
Word on the street is that Bradley Beal’s injured wrist is slowing down the rookie. Beal even said his wrist was “bothering” him over the weekend. Though he was still wearing a protective brace post-game, Beal said he’s doing just fine.
My wrist felt good tonight, for the most part. That’s the only reason why I played. I truly feel that it’s fine. I will continue to get treatment, and do all that is necessary for me to stay on the court.
Either way, the rookie struggled against the Kings. He had six points, one rebound and three assists in 14 first-half minutes, and added two missed shots in 10 minutes after halftime (posting a second-half plus/minus of minus-5) to round out his night.
Martell busted out of the gate on fire, scoring the game’s first five points. The Seattle native took it to the Kings, pouring in 18 points (6-9 FGs, 2-5 3PT), three rebounds, and two assists in 32 minutes. His plus-minus rating of plus-7 was second-best on team to Okafor’s plus-19. Webster came up clutch with a drive to tie the game with about seven seconds remaining in contest. Martell is shooting 41.4 percent from downtown and I would like to advocate for his entry into the 3-point shootout at All-Star weekend. His appearance would signify a great comeback story for the NBA to crow about.
A little flash, a little thunder? Check. A lot of whining? Check. Turnovers? Check. Just another below average day at the office for Nene. How bad was it? Well, he had six turnovers, the last one coming with one second left on the clock, sealing the Wizards’ fate. Even worse, Nene had four giveaways in the fourth quarter alone, which was more than other player had all night! He averages 3.3 TO per 36 minutes this season. Wall is the only Wizard to average more.
Your game MVP looked like he was having fun against Cousins & Co, splitting double-teams, hitting jumpers and running the floor. #OkaFORCE (yeah, I’m the only one using that hashtag) got busy in the paint, posting a season-high 23 points, 15 rebounds, three assists and a steal. That line tells most of the story; a game-high plus/minus of plus-19 says the rest. You have to wonder whether the Wiz would have pulled out the win if Wittman didn’t sub him out for Garrett Temple with 7.9 to play.
Speaking of Temple, he was a minus-four in his 13 seconds of action (he got on the court twice during the final 24 seconds of the game). Wittman stuck the 6-foot-6 backup guard on Thomas late in the game, because he “couldn’t find anyone” else that could guard the 5-foot-9 Thomas. Unfortunately, Temple let the left-handed Kings point guard GO LEFT and beat the Wizards with a pretty left-handed floater. Martell Webster stood up for Temple after the game, anyway:
[Isaiah Thomas'] prayers were definitely answered on that shot. That was a rainbow. You can only tip your hat. It was good defense. The shot went in.
When Ariza checked into the game, I snarkly remarked on Twitter that I needed to move sharps objects away from me. His erratic play continues to define Ariza’s brief Wizards tenure, and the most frustrating aspect is that just when you write him off, he comes up with a heady, positive contribution. His back-and-forth play was on full display Monday night. Ariza clanked numerous jumpers and kicked a ball carelessly out of bounds. Then, Ariza rolled in a long 2, got a key steal, and made a huge block in the game’s waning moments. He finished with four points, three rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one block in 23 minutes. Hopefully, there is a cure for Ariza’s bi-polar ways soon.
With the Wizards embarking on their most successful run of the season, it seems bizarre to be picking on the coaching staff with such harsh tones. However, it’s hard to keep giving their lack of imagination and reactionary approach a pass. Wittman pushed the wrong buttons in Utah and had no answer for Bulls fourth-quarter traps (which ended up not mattering because Chicago was unable to hit open 3-pointers). Nene was having an off game versus the Kings, suffering through repeated mistakes, but the staff still decided to post him up in a crucial late game situation, and naturally, he committed his sixth turnover. The most consequential screwup was inserting a cold Garrett Temple into the game for the first time in the closing seconds; Temple ended up unsuccessfully checking Thomas on the game’s most pivotal play. After the game, Thomas and numerous Kings teammates were shocked that Temple was on Thomas and that the Wizards allowed him to drive left, his strong side. Why not double? Wittman’s flaws are starting to be noticed by national media pundits.
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