Story By: Sol Tucker
Photos By: Sol Tucker
Washington, D.C–
A few days ago, we heard quite a few Wizards fans starting the rumor that with their record, they were trying to tank the remainder of the season in hopes of picking up some extra lottery balls. Well, tonight, the Wizards played a Hornets team with their own struggles with possibly one of the best efforts all season long.
So, what does the victory do tonight for this team? For one, they are mathematically eliminated from being able to match and/or break the Pistons’ losing streak this season. Second, it gives them hope they could actually make it to 20 wins on the season and salvage one of the worst records in franchise history.
The biggest difference was the combination of Kyle Kuzma and Jordan Poole in the fourth quarter who helped the Wizards outscore the Hornets 44-24 in the quarter.
Deni Avdija also made a huge difference in the second half as he has done for quite a few games this season. Some of his double point efforts have gone unnoticed as they have been blown out in quite a few of those games this season. Avdija finished with 18 points tonight.
“I think the pride kicked in,” Avdija said. “We were like, man, we lost so much in a row, we’re trying to get out of this slump. This is our chance right here. We knew that’s our chance. We have tough games coming up and this game was close, it was down to the wire, and I think everybody was like, OK, enough.”
The momentum in this game really changed in favor of the Wizards after Avdija hit a three-pointer giving the Wizards the lead again at 81-80 with 7:40 remaining in the game.
Washington led 85-82 after going on a 17-4 run in fourth quarter. This would be all they needed to stay ahead and by the 2:42 remaining in the game after the foul to Kuzma and two made free throws, the Wizards would build a 10 point lead at 100-90 and the Hornets just had nothing left from Miles Bridges and company.
With the victory tonight, the Wizards pick up their first victory since Jan. 29 at San Antonio. The Wizards hadn’t won at home since Dec. 29 against Brooklyn.
