Story By: Robert Jones
Photos By: Sol Tucker
Dallas, TX–
It’s hard to say the Wizards struggled in this game against the Mavericks tonight in Dallas, but when your team shoots 56.5 percent from the field in the first half of the game, it makes it quite difficult to play a game of catch up the entire game.
Wesley Matthews has owned the Wizards in previous games and tonight was no different, he was responsible for 15 first half points on 5 for 6 shooting from long range.
Washington did a lot of things right on defense forcing a couple key turnovers with less than 0:06 remaining in the third quarter, Otto Porter hit a three pointer to end the quarter giving the Wizards some hope cutting into the Mavs lead at 87-78.
The Mavs struck first in the fourth quarter on a dunk by Dwight Powell and then Jeff Green answered right back with a quick two then another two at 11:12 in the fourth quarter by Kelly Oubre Jr. pulled the Wizards the closest they have been all game at 7 points, 89-82.
Washington continued to battle to keep the game in single digits until J.J Barea drove into the lane and was fouled giving the Mavs the lead back at 97-85.
John Wall continued to carry the load for the Wizards in the fourth quarter hitting a huge three pointer to close the game to 6 points at 97-91 with 7:02 remaining.
For the Mavs the inside play of DeAndre Jordan was a the major difference in the fourth quarter and two big baskets by Luka Doncic gave the Mavs another double digit lead at 106-96.
Wesley Matthews gave the Mavs some more breathing room when he was fouled by Bradley Beal attempting a three pointer. Matthews would hit two of the three shots giving the Mavs a 112-96 lead with 2:37 remaining.
After the game Wizards Head Coach Scott Brooks had some positive things to say about the game tonight. The only problem with these positive comments is that they lost again and allowed another team to score over 100 points in a game.
“We had a great fourth quarter from these guys, but unfortunately we had a couple of calls that didn’t go our way, said Brooks.
Whether the Wizards are searching for answers to another almost 20 point loss or not, it simply doesn’t add up in their favor going forward. They have to make some changes before it is too late. The excuses need to stop and the team needs to figure out where its going before the end of this road trip.
Next Up:
Orlando on Thursday and Miami on Saturday night.
