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The Washington Wizards defeated the New Orleans Pelicans, 117-115 in overtime on Friday night at Capital One Arena. The win helps keep Washington’s playoff hopes alive after a tough season start.
Russell Westbrook scored 36 points and Bradley Beal added 30 more for Washington, which obviously helped.
But the hero of the game was Daniel Gafford who scored 18 points on 7-of-11 shooting and blocked four shots, most of them in late-game moments to help the Wizards keep this game in reach, especially late when New Orleans was leading by as many as eight points late in the game.
I mean, take a look at these plays! He’s quickly becoming a cult hero among the fanbase!
GAFFORD SWATS ZION
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) April 17, 2021
RUSS IN TRANSITION pic.twitter.com/MEPdwi6bNn
This man is an animal.#WizPelicans | @Dan_G33 pic.twitter.com/GCs3NrWIjv
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) April 17, 2021
Overtime was tight as well, and a very late foul helped Westbrook ice the game with some free throws.
Game-winning FT.#WizPelicans | @russwest44 pic.twitter.com/YZub69Etyy
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) April 17, 2021
I was impressed with the way Washington won the game, largely because they did so despite shooting poorly from the three point line (4-of-27) and weren’t too great from the free throw line (23-of-32), They did hold the Pelicans to 41.2 percent shooting so that helped! Brandon Ingram led the Pelicans with 34 points.
Washington is back in action tomorrow night when they host the Detroit Pistons. Tipoff is at 8 p.m. ET. See you then.