Story By: Richard Thomas
Photos By: Sol Tucker
Washington, D.C–
For the Wizards, these games of up and down have been few and far between this season, but this was another one of those down games where the Wizards just could not find a way to connect their offensive game tonight.
The biggest headline of the night may have been that of Brook Lopez, who controlled this game for the Nets and helped stop a 7-game losing streak
Lopez scored 25 points in 18 minutes in the second half. He had 11 points in just over 2 1/2 minutes in the third as the Nets took control of the game to lead 71-58 and tacked on Brooklyn’s first eight points of the fourth. He said he was ignoring the trade talk.
“I don’t pay attention. I’m here. I’ve been here all day,” Lopez said.
“I like it here. I’ve been here my whole career. I’m kind of partial to it now. I’ve been on the block for like 6 1/2 years now. It’s no big deal.”
Washington who has a conference high 17 wins at home just played flat the entire game and missed shots they have hit in previous games.
“We came out like all we had to do is show up and we got what we deserve,” Wizards Coach Randy Wittman said. “That’s exactly what we deserve. For our guys to continually talk about being or becoming an elite team, if you want to become an elite team, you don’t lose games like this.”
Brooklyn (17-23) outscored the Wizards in the paint, 46-34 and forced the Wizards to turn the ball over. The Nets had 10 turnovers to the Wizards’ 19 and held the Wizards to a season low in points. It took until the fourth quarter until any of the Wizards players,Kris Humphries at that, to reach double-digit points. Humphries finished with 12 points and eight rebounds. John Wall’s 13 points were a team high.
