:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/27046421/201401017_rnb_sb4_010.0.jpg)
John Wall led the way Friday night against the Chicago Bulls, scoring 23 points to go with 11 assists and one of the crazier circus shots you'll ever see as the Washington Wizards picked up their third-straight win, 96-93, and reached .500 for the third time this season.
Let's hope third time's the charm, eh? As you're no doubt aware, the Wizards have gotten to .500 twice previously this season, only to lose several consecutive games each time. Tonight, they've got a home date with the Detroit Pistons, whom they lost to in the season opener before sweeping in a home-and-home series to end 2013.
This current stretch is crucial for the Wizards. Following tonight's game, the Wiz will finish out their five-game home stretch with should-wins against the 76ers and Celtics, and begin a four-game road trip with winnable matchups with the Suns and Jazz. But then, they finish the roadie against the Warriors and Clippers, then begin another five-game home stand against the Thunder, Trailblazers and Spurs. So yea, it'd be nice to bank a few wins in the coming days.
KEY LINKS
Home team recaps: BF StoryStream | Washington Post | AP | CSN Washington (recap, sidebar) | Truth About It | Wiz of Awes | Wizards.com | Monumental Network
Road team recaps: Blog a Bull | Chicago Tribune | Chicago Sun-Times| ESPN Chicago | Pippin Ain't Easy
Postgame interviews: Randy Wittman | John Wall | Bradley Beal | Trevor Booker | Marcin Gortat | Garrett Temple
KEY STATS
2 - Losses suffered by the Bulls in 2014, spanning eight games. Both losses came against the Wizards.
6 - Points scored by the Bulls in the final 7:33 against the Wizards.
TWEETS OF THE NIGHT
#RIP dunleavy RT @adammcginnis: John Wall burst, Dunleavy had no shot #Wizards https://t.co/fQsfAHWRBo
— SB Nation NBA (@SBNationNBA) January 18, 2014
Viktor Krum is jealous of how Nene ended that game.
— Bullets Forever (@BulletsForever) January 18, 2014
@BulletsForever NENE? MORE LIKE NONONOTINMYHOUSE!!
— Luke Glanton (@_RazorRamon_) January 18, 2014
I am currently writing so many nice things about the Wizards right now that it almost feels unnatural
— Adam McGinnis (@adammcginnis) January 18, 2014
John Wall walked out of locker room & saw Joakim Noah. Noah hugged Wall & brought up his circus shot: "That was some bulls#@%!" #wizards
— Michael Lee (@MrMichaelLee) January 18, 2014
VIDEO/GIF OF THE NIGHT YEAR DECADE MILLENNIUM ETERNITY
If Wall ever fulfills his potential and ends up having a career worthy of documentaries and half-hour highlight reels, this play is guaranteed to make it.
Somehow, this only made No. 3 on Sportscenter's Top 10 plays from Friday. Just lump it with the All Star voting as evidence that Wall can't get not respect.
GAMETHREAD COMMENT OF THE NIGHT
GAMETHREAD ROLLCALL
| # | Commenter | # Comments |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | qthaballa | 108 |
| 2 | Wall_Hopeful | 93 |
| 3 | elliotlevy2 | 63 |
| 4 | souldrummer | 53 |
| 5 | Craig_ | 52 |
| 6 | Yeti60 | 51 |
| 7 | Baird15 | 41 |
| 8 | Banode | 37 |
| 9 | SladeKillah | 31 |
| 10 | Triple Net | 22 |
| 11 | Zachary Beard | 17 |
| 12 | BackScreenLob | 15 |
| 13 | Durant | 14 |
| 14 | KurisuDevil | 14 |
| 15 | Mandark | 13 |
| 16 | 17squall | 11 |
| 17 | ZonkerBL | 9 |
| 18 | nesby8 | 9 |
| 19 | segrt12 | 7 |
| 20 | izaballa | 6 |
| 21 | ATrueNigerian | 5 |
| 22 | DCKRS | 5 |
| 23 | Asdesas | 5 |
| 24 | Pluto1911 | 5 |
| 25 | dave21110 | 5 |
| 26 | Singhgidda | 5 |
| 27 | cheezit | 4 |
| 28 | The Hoops Guru | 3 |
| 29 | daca | 3 |
| 30 | abovelegit | 3 |
| 31 | endos2000 | 3 |
| 32 | Rook6980 | 3 |
| 33 | arian1123 | 2 |
| 34 | NewCavsfan | 2 |
| 35 | Llamaman | 2 |
| 36 | WizKid27 | 1 |
| 37 | BealMVP4ever | 1 |
| 38 | Gators2015_BB3 | 1 |
| 39 | MeToo | 1 |
| 40 | WindyRindy | 1 |
| 41 | obeast | 1 |
| 42 | Nickdoggmoneycash | 1 |
| 43 | Kend3zy | 1 |
| 44 | jeyhsi | 1 |
NO NO NENE
Nats win! Untuck. Bang, zoom! "Time for some Journey!" - @charlieslowes