clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Cavs vs. Wizards Final Score: Wizards Ride performances of John Wall and Jordan Crawford to 101-98 Victory

By Sean Fagan
Mar 3, 2012; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards forward Jan Vesely (24) dunks the ball against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first half at the Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-US PRESSWIRE
Mar 3, 2012; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards forward Jan Vesely (24) dunks the ball against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first half at the Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-US PRESSWIRE

Tonight, the Washington Wizards survived a vintage Antawn Jamison revenge game and in doing so managed to snap a six-game losing streak which stretched all the way back to the game against the Portland Trail Blazers. Much like the aforementioned Trail Blazers game, the Wizards won through timely shooting and superior performances from their guards, in this case John Wall and Jordan Crawford. Further, it was another nice performance from the Wizards veterans of Mo Evans and Roger Mason, who appear determined to make bloggers refute at least 40 percent of the jokes that have been made about their play this season. Some quick notes on the game:

  • Streamers/confetti at the end of a regular season game are lame. End of discussion.
  • Andray Blatche's return might not turn too many heads, but his play on the evening was punctuated by hustle plays and quick decisions that are not normally attributed to his game. Blatche worked the to move the ball quickly while on offense, which led to his five assists, and quickly started the fastbreak after securing the rebound.
  • Jan Vesely had two monster dunks and a Jan Vesely type game. I would really like to see a jumper at least get attempted before the season ends. (Of course I missed it, but upon review it was perhaps better that I did.(
  • Jordan Crawford has entered into the "Gilbert Arenas" zone the last few games in a good way. Three-pointers from 40 feet out, blind heaves that somehow find their way through the twine, whatever it was, a majority of the shots appear to be falling. Yet, for all the hoopla one might make over those ridiculous shots, one also has to be impressed with the way Crawford has been working on both his catch and shoot and screen and shoot game. He is nowhere as effective as Nick Young was last year, but is starting to improve by leaps and bounds after his horrendous start.
  • I call this bout between Kyrie Irving and Wall a draw. I'm impressed by Irving's shooting ability, but still prefer the overall athleticism and court vision of Wall.
  • Not a good night for Trevor Booker, as he allowed the officiating and pace of the game overwhelm him. Its a difficult assignment to draw a player like Jamison who is intent on revenge, but the combination of Antawn's finesse and Alonzo Gee's ruggedness put Booker on his back foot for most of the evening.
  • I remain confused as to what I just witnessed from JaVale McGee. I was extremely frustrated, and then extremely elated. I also saw Ryan Hollins constantly on my screen. Which cannot be a good thing. I need to go back and watch the tape.