Eliminated Wizards cruise to a convincing win over Mavericks initially appeared on NBC Sports Washington
WASHINGTON — The Washington Wizards beat the Dallas Mavericks 135-103 on Friday night time at Capital One Enviornment. Listed below are 5 observations from what went down…
Massive win
The Wizards have been constructing some momentum recently, and although that course of started in opposition to a comfortable spot of their schedule, they stored it happening Friday night time in opposition to top-of-the-line groups within the league. The Dallas Mavericks got here to Washington because the No. 3 seed within the West and winners of 5 of their final six, but the Wizards not solely received, they blasted them.
The Wizards led by 34 factors, their second-largest lead of the season, and noticed Mavs head coach Jason Kidd get ejected within the fourth quarter for arguing with the referees. Dallas had 13 turnovers, which the Wizards transformed into 22 factors. The Wizards, in the meantime, dedicated solely 9 turnovers.
Washington has now received 4 of its final 5 video games. They had been eradicated from postseason rivalry the night time earlier than, however are unexpectedly successful like they have not been in a position to for months. This was the primary time they’ve received 4 video games in a five-game span since Jan. 17.
Luka vs. Porzingis
As a result of they had been teammates in Dallas, this was the primary time Porzingis and Luka Doncic ever performed in opposition to one another in an NBA recreation. Each performed effectively, notably Doncic, who is probably going en path to getting some MVP votes on the finish of this season. He began the sport 1-for-5, however then caught fireplace and ended up with 36 factors, seven rebounds and 6 assists. He shot 11-for-22 from the sector, 4-for-9 from three and 10-for-10 from the free throw line.
Porzingis, although, received the win in opposition to his former staff and in addition put up numbers. He had 24 factors and 9 rebounds, additionally taking pictures effectively at 8-for-18 general and 2-for-4 from deep. The Wizards are wanting good typically with Porzingis main the present. These 4 wins of their final 5 have all include him because the No. 1 scoring choice. It is a successful system, not less than for now.
Tribute video
Each Bertans and Dinwiddie had been honored with a joint tribute video after the primary timeout of the primary quarter. The Wizards confirmed highlights of the 2 with a message of ‘thanks.’ Afterward, each guys had been proven on the display and acquired a largely detached response from the group. They neither booed nor cheered.
Neither participant made a lot of an impression on this recreation, both. Bertans went scoreless, solely taking one shot, and Dinwiddie had eight factors on 2-for-6 taking pictures. Whereas Dinwiddie has performed very effectively with the Mavs general since being traded there, he was off on this recreation and had just a few sloppy turnovers the place he threw errant passes out of bounds. He additionally traveled on a drive into the lane and received a technical foul within the fourth quarter. Not the return he hoped for.
KCP stored it rolling
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is taking part in a number of the greatest basketball of his profession. He had 35 factors on Friday, three in need of his career-high and prolonged his streak of scoring 20-plus factors to 4 video games, which ties his career-high and is his longest in 5 years. On this recreation, he received sizzling early with 12 factors within the first quarter and shot 13-for-19 general and 6-for-11 from three. He additionally frolicked guarding Doncic on the opposite finish.
This was Caldwell-Pope’s 74th recreation for the Wizards this season and he is began each single one in all them. If he begins within the closing 5 video games, he’ll get to 78 which shall be far and away probably the most anybody has began for the Wizards this season. Kyle Kuzma is second on that record at 66. The one participant who has appeared in additional video games for the Wizards this yr is Deni Avdija, who has performed in all 77.
Kuzma not shut down… but
With the Wizards being eradicated from the playoffs, it will be comprehensible if their strategy to Kuzma’s damage modified. He is been out for eight video games now with proper knee tendinitis and so they don’t have anything to play for. In accordance with head coach Wes Unseld Jr., although, they nonetheless haven’t any plans to close him down. Properly, not less than not but.
For the primary time, Unseld Jr. did acknowledge the chance and in addition talked about Porzingis in that blend. However first, Unseld Jr. mentioned the Wizards wish to “see more” from them as a duo, so they’re hoping to have Kuzma come again to play just a few video games. Whether or not they could make that occur, we will see. Time is operating out.
