Jazz 102

Wizards 92

February 26, 2016 Verizon Center, Washington, D.C.

Before everyone hits the panic button, remember that the Wizards went 18-3 the last time they
lost back-to-back games. Washingtons shots did not fall tonight and they were killed on the
boards 52-27. Physicality they had it, we did not, Brooks said. We let them run their offense
without any resistance. The officials were not the sole reason, but they probably played a part.
The home teams streak of scoring 100 or more points ended at 23 as they lost 102-92.

1st quarter

Washington looked hungover from their loss in Philadelphia on Friday night as they started the
game just 1 of 8 from the field. This allowed Utah to take a 9-2 lead as the Wizards were not
running their usual crisp offense we were accustomed to before the All-Star break. The Jazz
made three three-pointers in just over the first four minutes of the game.

The Wizards responded with a 12-1 run as Wall nailed a three-point shot from the elbow. Later,
Porter had a nice steal and dunk on a Utah outlet pass. The cherry on the sundae was recently
acquired Bojan Bogdanovic making his first shot as a Wizard at the Verizon Center, a corner
three that got the home arena hollering at 104.7 decibels. Five ties later, Washingtons streak of
13 games leading after the first quarter was over with things tied at 24.

2nd quarter

It sounds like a broken record by now but the bench is the weakest link to this Washington time.
To start the quarter, Utah immediately went on an 8-0 run, but that would not be a deal breaker.
The Wizards responded with a 9-2 run capped off by an electric Porter to Wall alley-oop that got
Verizon Center on their feet and up to 109.7 decibels.

After Washington cut the deficit to one, Utah brought their starters back in following a timeout
and they responded with a 10-2 run. The Wizards struggled to score in the quarter with a 15-
point session, which is fourth worst of the season, on just 30.4 percent, 7 of 23, shooting from
the field. Headed to intermission, Washington was down 49-39 because of their worst first half
scoring performance of the season and lucky to be down just 10 because of Utahs 14 turnovers.

3rd quarter

To say the first six plus minutes of the third quarter was ugly would be an understatement. Utah
busted out for an extended 21-7 run to push their lead up to 24, 70-46. The Washington offense
was stagnant and they were unable to supplement shots not falling from the field by getting to
the free throw line. It was not until 4:53 left in the third quarter that the Wizards got their second
free throw attempt of the game. Washington had one free throw in 29 game minutes whereas
Utah had 20.
Although things seemed bleak, the game was not out of reach. Washington ended the quarter on a
14-3 run including a 33-foot, essentially one stride in from half court, shot from Bogdanovic near
the buzzer to win over the hearts of the Verizon Center faithful. Instead of Trey Burke coming in
to play backup point guard, Scott Brooks gave the reins to Tomas Satoransky who was DNP-CD
for the previous three halves. Headed into the fourth quarter, Washington was down 73-60 and
holding out hope to complete a monster comeback.

4th quarter

The bench was able to maintain the status quo for the early parts of the fourth quarter, but Utah
shortly went on an 8-0 run to push their lead back up to 20 points. The Jazz were getting easy
shots with dunks and layups that made Brooks question the teams physicality after the game.
Markieff Morris also called the teams effort soft tonight. Utahs run was completed once
Morris picked up two fouls and was subsequently ejected with 7:31 remaining in the game.

https://twitter.com/HoopDistrictDC/status/836024329452326912

Maybe Morris ejection was exactly what the Wizards needed. Who knows, maybe if he has
enough of the officiating early it buys Washington more time for a comeback. The home team
had an impressive 19-5 run to claw within 6.

With just two minutes left, a comeback seemed plausible but a Gordon Hayward three-pointer
followed by a jump shot step back sandwiching one of Walls nine turnovers spelled dagger. The
Wizards got within 8 with 75 seconds but there was simply not enough time to potentially
complete a comeback. Washington lost their second straight game, this time by a count of 102-
92.

#WizJazz in a Tweet

https://twitter.com/HoopDistrictDC/status/835994580508082176

The Games Top Performer

Bojan Bogdanovic 15 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 steal, three 3-pointers

Yes, John Wall and Bradley Beal both had over 20 points, but the formers nine turnovers and the
latters foul trouble kept them from receiving the honor. On the other hand, Bogdanovic seemed
to make all Wizard fans ok with the trade that brought him to DC as he was 5 of 10 from the field
including 3 of 6 from beyond the arc. The Bosnia and Herzegovina native is still gaining
chemistry with the Wizards, but certainly could be worth the 2017 first round pick price.

I thought Bojan was really good, he plays hard and I like that, Brooks said. I like guys that
play hard when you play hard, you are going to catch all of our eyes. You are going to be on
the court a lot longer than the guys that dont.

A forgettable night for

Markieff Morris
Morris gets a lot of heat from fans for always being in foul trouble, which I believe is mostly
unwarranted, but he did not have his greatest showing of the season tonight. Part of it was shots
not falling as he shot just 3 of 11 from the field, part of it were questionable foul calls, but at the
end of the day you hope it is just a blemish in what has otherwise been a very productive two
months for Morris.

Key Stat of the Night

Much was made about the free throw discrepancy so it clearly has to be the stat of the night.
Washington was trailing in the free throw attempts category 20 to 1 into the third quarter and
finished the game trailing 32-13.

Its frustrating, you keep attacking the basket and no name guys are getting calls on the other
end that are getting little contact, Wall explained. You drive to the basket and get contact the
whole game, and then you try to make up for those calls the last two or three minutes of the
game. It gets frustrating, but I have to do a better job as the leader of this team to hold my
emotions in check. Dont try to give me the calls when theres 30, 45 [seconds, a minute left to
make me feel good. Thats not going to change the outcome, or how aggressive I want to be in
the game.

Whats next?

Washington has not had a three-game losing streak since November 16, 2016 after dropping
games to Cleveland, Chicago, and Philadelphia. They are in jeopardy of doing so on Tuesday as
the defending Western Conference champions are coming to Verizon Center. Golden States
offense is lethal and Washington will have to wake up from their All-Star break coma if they
even want a shot at competing. With two games against the Raptors and just eight remaining
home games after, it is important the Wizards try and steal a game against Steph Curry and
company.