Story By: Sol Tucker
Photos By: Sol Tucker
Washington, D.C–
If there was one game the Wizards would like to completely forget about, tonight’s game against the Heat more than likely the one. However, these complete blow-outs seem to be getting more common and the team that went 10-3 to open the season, is struggling to find its identity going into All Star break week.
The Heat set the tone early in this game and jumped out to a 20-point lead before halftime really never looked back even late in the game.
Corey Kispert equaled his career high with 20 points for the Wizards (24-29), who lost for the ninth time in 11 games. They dropped to a season-low five games under .500 with the loss tonight.
Miami, which never trailed, went on a 22-1 run to take a 98-70 lead early in the fourth quarter.
The big difference in the game tonight was the inability to control Bam Adebayo scored 14 points in the third and finished the game with 21 points.
“Bam on this road trip has been making some great plays in knowing when to go aggressive and score and knowing when to find somebody else for an easy basket,” Miami coach Erik Spoelstra said. “That’s always a tough balance when you’re a great player.”
There were times in the game tonight where you wondered if there were any Wizards fans in the building as the “Let’s Go Heat” chants were so loud they even drown out the music played by the Wizards.
“We just have to do better in the absence of Brad and hope that when he comes back right after the All Star Break, we can make the proper adjustments needed for the second half of the season,” said Wizards Head Coach Wes Unseld Jr.
Near the end of the game, Wizards player development coach Mike Batiste got into an argument with at least one fan. Harrell led Batiste away and toward the locker room.
“To my understanding, a fan, or several fans, said something that was out of line,” Unseld said. “Obviously, we have to take the high road. You just can’t indulge in that. But I think it was a situation where something was said that was a bit over the line, and I think it got the best of one of our coaches. But either way, you have to take the high road.”
