With Bradley Beal and Kyle Kuzma sidelined on account of accidents, the Wizards struggled to search out offense within the second half of Wednesday’s recreation in opposition to the West’s high group. Closing rating: Nuggets 118, Wizards 104.

Kristaps Porzingis acquired this recreation began on a pleasant word for the Wizards. He was attending to his spots, catching the ball within the mid-post, and utilizing his signature strikes to money in on high-percentage mid-range jumpers. He related on his first 4 photographs however sadly, he additionally picked up two fouls within the first 5 minutes of the sport. After getting whistled for his second foul, he seemed on the bench and indicated that he was good to remain within the recreation. He proved himself proper as he related on his subsequent two photographs (giving him 13 factors on 6-of-6 capturing from the sphere) and stayed disciplined on protection in order to not decide up his third foul within the quarter.

Within the second quarter, Porzingis discovered himself a bit too aggressive and picked up his third foul simply 30 seconds in, however his teammates had been there to choose up the place he left off. Johnny Davis gave the Wizards vitality on protection and transformed an insane one-handed up-and-under on a baseline drive. Corey Kispert used his dribble bundle to hit a easy stepback three. And Deni Avdija acquired the group concerned with back-to-back transition assaults that led to finger-roll finishes. Avdija then capped off a 12-1 Wizards run with a Statue of Liberty dunk after beating his defender off the dribble within the halfcourt.

The Wizards outscored the Nuggets 28-24 within the second quarter regardless of Porzingis solely enjoying the primary 30 seconds of the body. It was a formidable instance of the “subsequent man up” mentality that groups so steadily speak about. The Wizards held a 57-55 benefit going into the halftime break behind Porzingis’ 15 factors in 10 minutes and Avdija’s 14 factors, six rebounds, and 4 assists.

Two extra causes the Wizards discovered success within the first half: defending the rock and inside protection. They solely turned the ball over one time within the first half and did not surrender any factors off of that turnover. Additionally they solely allowed 20 factors within the paint — a formidable quantity in response to what occurred the final time these two groups met. On December 14, the Nuggets placed on a present down low, scoring a whopping 98 factors within the paint after they hosted the Wizards in Denver. It was clear that Washington was intent on not letting historical past repeat itself as they had been targeted on being as stingy across the cup as attainable.

Within the third quarter, the Nuggets had been capable of unleash all of what has made them the highest group within the Western Convention. They compelled turnovers, acquired out in transition, and generated open threes. Porzingis opened the quarter with a few good buckets, however the Nuggets responded with a 36-12 run to finish the quarter.

When requested what went incorrect within the third quarter for the Wizards, head coach Wes Unseld Jr. targeted on the turnovers and the Nuggets’ 3-point capturing. “We solely had one turnover for [zero] factors in that first half,” stated Unseld Jr. “After which 12 factors off six turnovers in [the third quarter] alone… The three-point capturing as effectively. I feel one, possibly two, of these had been off the live-ball turnovers, however simply attending to these shooters… It was a mixture of each of these issues that I feel actually damage us.”

The Nuggets scored the primary two factors of the fourth quarter, extending their result in a game-high 23 factors, however the Wizards refused to stop. They confirmed a ton of struggle and went on a 17-4 run led by the reserves to chop the result in 10 factors with just below seven minutes remaining within the recreation. Nuggets head coach Michael Malone then referred to as a timeout and acquired his group to regroup and refocus. The Nuggets got here out of that timeout and went on a fast 14-4 run, placing the sport out of attain.

Nonetheless, Unseld Jr. was pleased with his group’s effort on Wednesday evening. “I feel it was a great response,” stated Unseld Jr. “We performed 24 actually good minutes… The turnovers that we spoke of actually put us behind the eight ball. However I assumed our competitiveness was fairly good tonight.”

Porzingis led the way in which for the Wizards, ending the sport with 25 factors on 11-of-17 capturing from the sphere in simply 22 minutes of motion. Avdija was proper behind him with 16 factors on 7-of-9 capturing from the sphere and 1-of-2 capturing from deep to associate with eight boards and 6 assists.