There isn’t much time left in the NBA regular season, and the Washington Wizards are starting to find their sense of urgency. It took nearly two months for the team to show some signs of life but three straight blowout wins have Washington’s pulse active again. Trying to maintain position inside the NBA Eastern Conference playoff standings, Washington used a solid week to rebuild confidence and get back to the things that worked so well for them in the early part of the year. The Wizards continue to fight their way out of a post All-Star break slump as the postseason nears but they have to be careful as their current standing (fifth in the East) could perhaps raise or drop depending on how well they play over the next few weeks. The Wizards are healthy for the most part so now appears to be the team’s best opportunity for a late season run. The AFRO recaps the week that was for the Washington Wizards.
Washington Wizards center Marcin Gortat, left, of Poland, looks to pass against Charlotte Hornets center Al Jefferson in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, March 9, 2015, in Charlotte, N.C. The Wizards won 95-69. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
March 9: Wizards Beat Hornets in Blowout Victory
Washington opened their week on the road Monday against the Charlotte Hornets and basically ended the game before it could even start. Washington ran off to a 36-21 first quarter and never looked back as they routed Charlotte 95-69 in a pretty impressive victory. The Wizards capped the game by allowing just nine points in the final period and just 23 in the second half, overall. Marcin Gortat led the way with 20 points and seven rebounds, and Wall filled in the gaps with 15 points, nine assists and five rebounds as Washington controlled the game throughout. The Wizards out-rebounded Charlotte 49-37 and held the home team to just 32 percent from the field.
Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) attempts to shoot over Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) in the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, March 14, 2015, in Washington. The Wizards won 113-97. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
March 12: Washington Beats Memphis in Tainted Win
An ESPN-televised homestand against the Southwest division-leading Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday night lost a lot of luster when it was learned that the Grizzlies would rest a bulk of its starters. The result wasn’t pretty for the visiting Grizzlies as Washington used a huge second quarter to ride the wave to a 107-87 victory in front of a delighted Verizon Center crowd. Washington trailed by seven points after the opening quarter but stormed back quickly in the ensuing period, outscoring Memphis 34-14 in the second quarter. Wall (21 points, six assists, seven rebounds) and Gortat (22 points, nine rebounds) paced the club as four players scored in double figures and two others scored nine points apiece.
March 14: Wizards Trounce Kings 113-97
Washington continued to roll to success on March 14 with a convincing home win over the Sacramento Kings. DeMarcus Cousins scored 30 points for the Kings, but his former University of Kentucky teammate John Wall topped him with 31 points and 12 assists to lead the Wizards to a 113-97 victory. Five other players scored double digits for Washington, including Paul Pierce with 17 points and Brad Beal with 14.
Next: – Washington will host the Portland Trailblazers on Monday night March 16 at the Verizon Center, followed by a four-game road trip to the West Coast, where the Wizards will face the Utah Jazz on March 18, L.A. Clippers on March 20, Sacramento Kings on March 22 and Golden State Warriors on March 23.