Washington Wizards forward Kris Humphries (43) reacts after a dunk in front of Orlando Magic forward Kyle O’Quinn (2) and center Dewayne Dedmon (3) with forward Otto Porter Jr. (22) nearby, in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Feb. 9, 2015, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
The Washington Wizards finished 2-1 before the All-Star break after losing a heartbreaker in Toronto. Washington (33-21) is nevertheless well on its way to a 50-plus win season but the team needs to get healthy as it leaves the midseason break. Star guards Bradley Beal (toe, stress reaction) and John Wall (migraines, ankles) have limped into the extended break at just the right time, while impressive reserve big Kris Humphries (back) continues to improve. Team play grew stale over the last few weeks before the break as Washington is only three games removed from a season-high five-game losing streak. Other teams in the conference are starting to play well so the emphasis on getting healthy and generating cohesive play are going to be strong points in the second half of Washington’s season. But first, the AFRO recaps the week that was for the Washington Wizards.
Feb. 9: Wizards Glide Past Magic in Easy 96-80 Victory
A home game against the youthful Orlando Magic started the short week for the Wizards. Washington led by 20 points at the end of the third quarter and were never really challenged on their way to a 96-80 victory. Wall was one point shy of a triple-double, recording 10 assists, 10 rebounds and nine points, while Marcin Gortat controlled the paint with 14 points and 14 rebounds. The story of the game was Washington’s bench play. Washington’s reserves matched the Magic’s starters point-for-point, 46-46. With Wall guiding the offense, powered by Nenê and Gortat in Beal’s absence, it was an easy night for the home team.
Feb. 11: Raptors Swoop in For Last-Minute Win Against Wizards, 95-93
Toronto Raptors’ Kyle Lowry (7) and Amir Johnson, center, stop Washington Wizards guard John Wall from scoring in the final seconds of an NBA basketball game in Toronto on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2015. Toronto won 95-93. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)
Down 0-2 in the season series against the Toronto Raptors, Washington went into Canada for a Wednesday night showdown with one goal in mind: beating Toronto. A balanced night from the roster kept Washington in the game before late in the second half, when they stretched the lead out to 10 points. Washington couldn’t sustain the lead, however, and the Raptors stole a victory 95-93. Toronto slowly chipped at a reasonable deficit until late in the waning seconds of the game, that’s when DeMar DeRozan slipped in a fading, off-balance jumper to break a 93-93 tie. Wall paced his team with 21 points, eight rebounds and four assists. His three-point attempt at the buzzer bounced off the back of the rim and Washington went home losers for the third time this season against the Raptors. The Wizards lost despite an impressive edge on the boards, out-rebounding Toronto 50-37.
Next: The Wizards take on the Cleveland Cavaliers at 9 p.m. Feb. 20 at the Verizon Center in Washington.