Story By: Richard Thomas
Photos By: Sol Tucker
Washington, D.C–
It certainly wasn’t pretty tonight at Verizon Center, but a victory is a victory after you have lost six straight games like the Wizards had done prior to their match-up against the Pistons tonight. Detroit took the Wizard deep into the final minutes, but strong inside play helped the Wizards grab a 99-95 rebounding victory.
It’s still great to get the win, but we have to do a better job of keeping the lead,” said Wizards guard John Wall, who finished the game with 22 points to lead the way for the Wizards.
The Wizards had a convincing lead when they were up by 16 points at halftime, and they even took a 7-0 run to start the third quarter behind a Paul Pierce three pointer, leading the way 69-48.
After a few miscues and turnovers by the Wizards late in the quarter and some impressive play in the paint by former Hoyas Center Greg Monroe, the Pistons closed the lead to 10 at 80-70 to start the fourth quarter.
Opening on a 9-0 run of their own, the Pistons had this game well under control and were right there at 85-84 with 6:46 remaining. Then is where Wall and company came in and delivered the final blows.
Washington would get a key rebound off a Bradley Beal missed free throw with 7.3 seconds remaining to send Wall to the line t finish off the game and stop the bleeding of a losing streak.
