Three Wizards scored over 20 points and the team scored over 130 for the second-straight game as they defeated the Mavericks 132-123 on Wednesday night. It’s the first time the team has scored over 130 points in back-to-back regulation wins since 1978.
Both teams opened the game with the level of defensive intensity you would expect from two teams on the outside of the playoff picture in early March. Jeff Green got off to a hot start, scoring 8 points in the first three minutes of the game, but the Mavericks’ were more effective getting where they wanted on their scoring opportunities. They racked up 43 points in the opening quarter, and 39 of them came in the paint, at the free throw line, or behind the arc.
The Wizards’ second unit finally strung together some stops. They held the Mavericks to 9 points over the first 6:45 of the second quarter while they went on a run to edge back out in front. Bradley Beal and the rest of the starters built off that momentum and jumped out to an ten-point lead early in the third quarter, but it didn’t last long. Luka Doncic and the Mavericks reserves went on a 15-5 run to tie the game back up late in the third quarter.
From there, it was a back-and-forth battle the rest of the way. Neither side led by more than two possessions until Jeff Green hit back-to-back threes with under three minutes left to finally establish some breathing room. Then, Bradley Beal (who finished with 30 points, 8 assists, and 7 rebounds) and Jabari Parker (10-of-11 from the field) each scored in the closing moments to ice the game.
Takeaways
Bradley Beal put Salah Mejri through the wringer
Not sure what Mejri did to upset Beal so much but he probably shouldn’t do it again.
OH MY, @RealDealBeal23! #DCFamily pic.twitter.com/3mOv7q9tCR
— NBA TV (@NBATV) March 7, 2019
Oh my @RealDealBeal23 | #DCFamily pic.twitter.com/cfyGytPPP7
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) March 7, 2019
Troy Brown gets another chance to shine
Scott Brooks stuck with the players that produced on Sunday against the Timberwolves, which means Brown and Sam Dekker got playing time over Chasson Randle and Wesley Johnson. Brown’s shot was shaky (he was only 3-of-9 from the field) but he chipped in 4 rebounds and 3 assists during his 16 minutes of action with no turnovers. He still has a ways to go, but he didn’t look uncomfortable out there.
The Wizards won the rebounding battle again!
Jeff Green only grabbed 1 rebound in 28 minutes, but the Wizards still outrebounded the Mavericks 49-39. Washington is now 17-3 on the season when they win or split the rebounding battle.
Next up: The Wizards will head to Charlotte to face Kemba Walker and the Hornets on Friday at 7 pm Eastern Time.