Story By: Richard Thomas
Photos By: Sol Tucker
Washington, D.C–
Maybe it was a late Christmas present that the Wizards players asked for tonight against the Bucks, or perhaps it was just Scott Brooks that wanted his players to grab a little redemption for a down right blow out against the Bucks before the holiday.
Tonight it was Otto Porter who was the star leading the Wizards to a 107-102 victory and their 6th straight victory at home.
Porter had 32 points, made a career-high five 3-pointers and grabbed 13 rebounds, John Wall had 18 points and a season-high 16 assists in a game that came down to the wire on a missed Tony Snell three point attempt for the Bucks that sealed the victory tonight.
“It didn’t sit right with us going into Christmas,” Porter said of a 27-point defeat in Milwaukee Friday. “We definitely wanted this game.”
“We all came out with a sense of urgency and got some big stops in a row,” Wall said. They had a couple turnovers and took a couple bad shots. We found Brad and got him going, and Otto was very big for us.”
For the Bucks they got another strong effort from Giannis Antetokounmpo, who scored 22 points and grabbed 12 rebounds for the Bucks, but only after he had a career-high 39 points against the Wizards Friday.
“They got a little physical with us,” Milwaukee coach Jason Kidd said. “And our patience, being able (to deal with) screens, and set up guys — we have to get better with that.”
Beal and Porter began the decisive run with 3-pointers and Wall hit a runner before finding Morris for a baseline jumper that put Washington up 99-98 with 3:10 left. Beal added a pair of free throws to complete the stretch.
After Jabari Parker’s dunk closed it to a point, Porter answered with another 3 to make it 104-100, and the Bucks would get no closer than three.
“This was a hard fought game at the end and John and Otto just said we are going to get this one after that final timeout and they did exactly that,” said Wizards Head Coach Scott Brooks. We can use this momentum at home and continue in the right direction going into the New Year.
