Three home games this week for the Washington Wizards created some excitement for the fans at the Verizon Center. Unfortunately, much of that excitement came from the opposing teams. The Wizards went 1-2 on a week that saw New York Knicks and Miami Heat invade the District to great fanfare. The AFRO examines the week that was for the Washington Wizards.
Feb. 6: Wizards 111, Toronto 108
Looking for a taste of revenge against a Raptors team that routed them in a 20-point victory a few days prior, the Wizards went ahead early on the visiting squad. Washington was forced to overtime after blowing an 18-point lead, but John Wall (31 points), Nick Young (29 points) and Trevor Booker (19 points) found the right time to chip in their best games of the season as the Wizards avoided another monumental collapse at home. Toronto point guard Jerryd Bayless (6-10 from three-point range) led the Raptors’ rally with 30 points. But the visiting team ran out of gas in overtime as they could only muster three points. Wall added five rebounds, seven assists, two blocks and two steals to his big night.
Feb. 8: New York 107, Wizards 93
Without stars Amare Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony, the New York Knicks introduced point guard Jeremy Lin to the Chinese population around the District—and the fans loved it. Lin, New York’s budding superstar, rung up 23 points, 10 assists, four rebounds, one steal and a block as the Knicks secured their third straight win. Wall led Washington with 29 points and six assists but it wasn’t enough as the Verizon Center turned into a mini-Madison Square Garden, fueled by Lin’s magic.
Feb. 10: Miami 106, Wizards 89
After listening to the home fans go crazy over Jeremy Lin, the Wizards faced another visiting road show as the star-studded Heat came to D.C. Washington hung close in a 23-19 first quarter, until LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh blew the game open. Miami’s big three combined for 68 points and 17 assists and racked up a number of highlight reel plays, with Washington simply powerless to stop them. The difference in talent was glaring as the Wizards “stars” simply weren’t enough to combat Miami’s. JaVale McGee led Washington with 24 points and 13 rebounds and Young followed with 22 points as Wizards dropped their second straight game
Outlook
Washington fell to 5-22 after the frustrating week, but even in defeat, some good things are happening with the team. Since being inserted into the lineup, power forward Trevor Booker has given Washington some toughness to go along with his surprising skill. During the three game homestand, Booker turned in games of 19 points and four rebounds, 17 points and seven rebounds and 13 points and 15 rebounds. With the disappointing Andray Blatche still hobbled with a calf injury, Booker has used the time to make his case for a permanent role with the team. Washington continues to showcase with young talent in Wall, Young, McGee, Jordan Crawford and now Booker.
