The Washington Wizards picked up their first preseason victory with a doozy of a win, 100-82 over the defending champion Miami Heat. Sure, it's preseason, but the Big Three played a decent amount of minutes and, judging from some monster dunks and subsequent gyrating, certainly seemed to be giving it a good effort.
Regardless, the Wizards looked good, particularly when playing small lineups, and Bradley Beal was the star of the game, scoring 29 points on 10-of-15 shooting, and 4-of-8 from three-point range.
That kind of performance got people talking on Twitscape.
Beal is scoring in all ways, faked out Wade, finished on Lebron
— Adam McGinnis (@adammcginnis) October 16, 2013
Beal just showed some Wall-esque speed going from end-to-end after a Heat turnover.
— Hoop District (@HoopDistrictDC) October 15, 2013
Yea, Brad Beal's dribble game is better: behind-the-back sweetness. #Wizards https://t.co/0JOIqkil0m
— Kyle Weidie (@Truth_About_It) October 16, 2013
I will squeeze this one through, though: BRADLEY BEAL 17 POINTS IN 19 MINUTES CHHHHHYEAH
— Bullets Forever (@BulletsForever) October 16, 2013
Seventeen for Bradley Beal. Hitting shots, but also much craftier around the rim. He's going to have a big year.
— Mike Prada (@MikePradaSBN) October 16, 2013
Bradley Beal is feasting on open 3-point looks tonight. If he gets shots anything like this starting next month, look out.
— Kevin Pelton (@kpelton) October 16, 2013
Had to watch this nice little deception by Bradley Beal to avoid the block by LeBron a couple times. #Wizards https://t.co/zwN67sGE0h
— Kyle Weidie (@Truth_About_It) October 16, 2013
If you didn't know it by now, Bradley Beal can ball. Yes, it's preseason but 29 pts in 3 Qs is pret-tay, pre-tay good #wizards
— Michael Lee (@MrMichaelLee) October 16, 2013
Bradley Beal is wearing the Heat out. Has 26 midway through the third.
— chris palmer (@ChrisPalmerNBA) October 16, 2013
Bradley Beal needs to save this for the regular season. 29 points at the end of three quarters.
— David Steele (@David_C_Steele) October 16, 2013
It is almost like I want Beal to save some of this for later
— Adam McGinnis (@adammcginnis) October 16, 2013
"Beal is absolutely pornographic right now" and more Beal gushing going on in the @BulletsForever thread. http://t.co/JzLHhK0Ofj
— Mike Prada (@MikePradaSBN) October 16, 2013
Spoelstra: [beal] is a heck of a young player. The biggest thing with him is staying healthy.
— Hoop District (@HoopDistrictDC) October 16, 2013
Bradley's shot chart is a thing of bealuty #beal #wizards pic.twitter.com/mqPSZvn7Q3
— Adam McGinnis (@adammcginnis) October 16, 2013
"A year ago at this time, he was scared shitless. Now, he's a different guy." On @realdealbeal23's breakout game http://t.co/MuBFYCAwZ1
— Bullets Forever (@BulletsForever) October 16, 2013
So yeah, Beal had a great game, particularly given his (admittedly limited) history playing up against Dwyane Wade.
Dwyane Wade's rookie season (2003-4) was last one Glenn Rice played, DWade was guarding his kid in 1st half
— Adam McGinnis (@adammcginnis) October 16, 2013
WE'RE OLD. THANKS FOR THE REMINDER.
Anyway, aside from Beal, John Wall had a solid game with 13 points, eight assists and five steals, and both Trevors were in the starting lineup and played well. Trevor Ariza scored 13 points and hauled in nine rebounds, while Trevor Booker recorded eight points and five boards on 4-of-5 shooting. Kevin Seraphin also got the start, but again struggled, scoring only two points on 1-of-6 shooting, and pulling down one rebound in 21 minutes.
Al Harrington gave the Wizards some punch off the bench with 14 points (including three treys), and Glen Rice Jr. continued to look solid, with eight points in 16 minutes.
Speaking of which, it can't be a Wizards preseason game without the obligatory...
— Bullets Forever (@BulletsForever) October 16, 2013
Probably going to use the #FREEGRJR hashtag a lot this year.
— Mike Prada (@MikePradaSBN) October 16, 2013
Any other takeaways?
Dwyane Wade on #wizards: "This is a team that has playoff potential. For us, a potential first-round team. You never know."
— Michael Lee (@MrMichaelLee) October 16, 2013
We can only hope. #fingerscrossed
For more coverage of the game, check out Umair's recap, as well as Thomas' in-depth look at what makes Beal a special scorer. Here's some postgame interviews with Randy Wittman, Beal, Wall, Ariza, Harrington, Booker and LeBron James, courtesy of Monumental Network.
More recaps can be found here: [CSN Washington | AP | Wiz of Awes | Ted's Take | Official team blog | Hot Hot Hoops]
As for game highlights, here ya go.