The Washington Wizards (10-53) avoid setting an unwanted record Friday night in a 112-100 victory over the Charlotte Hornets. The Wizards were one loss away from eclipsing the franchise record of 16 consecutive losses in a single season. The Wizards were dodging infamous history on Friday night, but now it’s in the rear-view!
Dodging History: Wizards Avoid Setting Unwanted Record
How the Wizards got to 16 Consecutive Losses
Washington may have avoided breaking the franchise record, but it still is a bad basketball team without question. The Wizards struggle on the glass and are below average defensively. In fact, Washington hasn’t allowed less than 100 points in a game since January 13th in a win against the Atlanta Hawks.
The Wizards currently rank last in the league in defensive rating at 119.6, respectively. Over the 16-game skid, Washington allowed its opponents to shoot a combined 51.85 percent from the field. In the rebounding department, the Wizards rank second-to-last as it averages 48.1 rebounds per game. The two aspects of basketball the Wizards struggle with are prominent reasons as to why its the last team to reach double-digit wins in the NBA.
Washington is fresh off having blown a 21-point lead to the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night in an otherwise winnable game. As a result of Daniel Gafford being traded and Marvin Bagley III out due to injury, Brian Keefe was forced to play small ball. Orlando was a much bigger team than Washington and eventually chipped away at the lead to defeat the Wizards.
Moe to the rim
@moritz_weasley pic.twitter.com/nY6hKUX2NX
— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) March 7, 2024
In the clip, Paolo Banchero and the Magic are in transition and he passes the ball to Moe Wagner. Wagner easily drives past Jordan Poole and scores two points with little resistance from Washington. The Wizards are undoubtedly one of the worst interior defensive teams in the association and the video is an example of that.
As a result of the loss, the matchup against the lowly Hornets was perhaps the most important in Wizards franchise history, for all the wrong reasons.
How the Wizards Snapped the 16-game Skid
The Hornets (15-48) rank 27th in the association in defensive rating (119.1) and have a 47.9 percent overall rebounding percentage. The matchup between the two teams on Friday night was a showcase of franchises that are nowhere in contention and without a clear direction. Throughout the 16-game skid, Washington faced eleven teams that made the postseason last year. As far as the other five teams, they are on pace to make the playoffs this year, so the schedule for the Wizards hasn’t been easy by any means. Fortunately, Washington faced a team that is in the same realm as far as record, roster (young guys), and culture.
Washington overcame a ten-point fourth-quarter deficit led by Kyle Kuzma, who had 28 overall points but 14 fourth-quarter points. Deni Avdija added 18 points (11 in fourth) and 14 rebounds, as he continues to contribute in multiple ways for Washington. Richaun Holmes started in his first game in place of Corey Kispert. Since Bagley isn’t available, perhaps Keefe inserted Holmes into the lineup to provide size. Holmes contributed 14 points and 11 rebounds while having shot 5/5 from the field. The 30-year-old center was involved in the Gafford/Mavericks trade back at the trade deadline.
Richaun Holmes throws it down with AUTHORITY
pic.twitter.com/8yuuuK9M8P
— Wizards Nation (@WizardsNationCP) March 7, 2024
In the video, Holmes gets himself free after having set a soft screen for Poole. Poole dishes the ball to Holmes and aggressively drives to the basket for a dunk. Holmes brings energy and tenacity for Washington and his impact was felt on Friday night. The former Mavericks big man tallied 36 minutes against Charlotte.
Washington had built and squandered a 15-point lead, but fought back to finally reach 10 victories on the season. The Wizards rank ninth in the league in fourth-quarter points, as it shot 80 percent from the field in the last quarter against Charlotte.
The Last Word on Dodging History: Wizards Avoid Setting Unwanted Record
The Wizards rose to the occasion when their backs were against the wall, albeit against the fifteen-win Hornets. Holmes, Avdija, and Kuzma shined the most in the Wizards’ fourth win in the new calendar year.
Keefe frequently likes to plug and play different lineups, as he inserted Anthony Gill at the end of the third quarter. Gill played for only two minutes but made an immediate impact according to Kispert.
Corey Kispert on Anthony Gill, who he says “changed the game” with his minutes tonight: “When you see a guy like that do well in a game, you want to run through a wall for him.” pic.twitter.com/uPDUvKqwni
— Chase Hughes (@chasedcsports) March 9, 2024
The Wizards have 19 games left in the 2023-2024 season and will visit the Miami Heat on Sunday, but it should feel relieved after having avoided an unwanted record.
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