In a thrilling game that ended with a game winner by Markieff Morris, the Washington Wizards beat the Portland Trailblazers 125-124 for their 5th straight win.
The first quarter started off as a shootout between these two teams. Â Despite the Wizards putting up 30 points, the Blazers when above it with 36. Â This game was making out to be a high scoring game. Â After a close first quarter, CJ McCollum had other plans. Â McCollum came out on fire to start to second period and Washington had no answer for him. Â McCollum led Portland on a 14-3 run to start the quarter, going up by 17 points. Â Things were not looking too good for Washington. Â However, like always Scott Brooks sent in his starters to save the day.
The starters came in and went straight to work going on a 14-5 run. Â This gave Washington some energy back and help them get back in the game. Â Portland was not going to give up that easily. Â They showed why they have won four games in a row. Â The Trailblazers ended the half on a 15-4 and went into halftime with a staggering 21-point lead. Â McCollum torched the Wizards for 25 first half points.
Second Half Story
During this five game road trip, Washington has played better in the second half of games. Â Washington trailed by 15 points after the third quarter in Sacramento last night but came out with an overtime victory. Â They would have to do a lot of work if they wanted to repeat that effort again. Â They knew started the half on a 13-7 run and cut the lead down to nine points. Â Portland made efforts to com back but Washington outscored them 33-21 going into the fourth quarter.
Washington started the final period on a 15-7 run cutting the lead all the way down to one point with just one starter in the game. Â With the Wizards down 106-98, John Wall scored eight straight points to cut the lead down to one-point. Â After another good defensive play, the Wizards get the ball back. Â Wall’s backcourt teammate Bradley Beal hit a three-pointer to give Washington their first lead since the first quarter. Â Washington went on a 15-0 run to take a six-point lead. Â After a crazy series of events, the Blazers went on a 6-0 to tie the game with 23 seconds. Â Washington put the ball in Wall’s hands. Â With time winding down and the defender falling to the ground, Wall missed a wide open shot to win the game. Â For the second straight game, the Wizards was headed for overtime.
Overtime for Second Straight Night
The overtime game went back and forth throughout the extra time. Â With Washington down three points, Beal shot a three-pointer and was fouled. Â He went to the charity strike for three shot with 31 seconds and knocked down two. Â This made it a one-point game. Â Portland put the ball in Damian Lillard’s hands, who had nine of their 12 overtime points. Â Wall came from behind to block his shot attempt. Â Washington would have the final possession down by one point with six seconds. Â Beal got the ball, drove the lane and kicked it out to Markieff Morris in the corner. Â Morris pumped fake and stepped in to hit a game winner.
Washington has now won seven of its last eight game and are second place in the Eastern Conference standings. Â Wall led the Wizards with 39 points and nine assists. Â Beal had 26 points and six points. Â After a slow start, the Wizards frontcourt combined for 46 points and 36 rebounds. Â Lillard had 33 points while McCollum had 34.
West Coast Trips Comes to an End
This was a back-to-back game (both overtime) for the Wizards so the fatigue is clearly starting to kick in. Â Washington ends their five-game west coast road trip on Monday against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Â The last time these two teams faced off in January Washington won by 17, overlooking 41 from Andrew Wiggins. Â Minnesota record may not show it but they have a nice, young team. Â Karl Anthony-Towns and Wiggins are stars in the making and have carried this team this season. Â They lost Zach Lavine for the season with a ACL injury. Â They are coming off a one-point win over the Warriors and a 16-point win over the Clippers this past week.
Washington needs to focus mainly on Wiggins, Towns and the court vision of Ricky Rubio. Â This young team can run up and down the court so Washington will have to stay alert. Â This is their last game before returning home. Â If they can pull out a win, they will have a perfect record on their west coast road trip. Â The Wizards will have to control the paint in this game with Towns and Gorgui Dieng down low. Â As long as they can control the pace of the game, they will go home 5-0 on this trip.