Bullets Forever - Wizards vs Suns: Phoenix runs past tired Wizards squad 106-98"Ain't No Luck"https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48097/BulletsForever-fv.png2015-01-29T01:22:50-05:00http://www.bulletsforever.com/rss/stream/76992462015-01-29T01:22:50-05:002015-01-29T01:22:50-05:00Wizards can't keep up with Suns' runs, fall 106-98
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<figcaption>Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Despite some spirited efforts from John Wall, Kris Humphries and Otto Porter, the Wizards simply didn't have enough juice left to take down the high-octane Suns in Phoenix.</p> <p>Don't let the final score fool you. This game was over before it started. Washington was wrapping up fourth game in five nights on the West Coast, and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/">Suns</a> hadn't played since they were humiliated at home in a 20 point loss to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Clippers</a> on Sunday.</p>
<p>Some surprising performances from the fresh legs of <span>Otto Porter</span>, <span>Garrett Temple</span> and <span>Kris Humphries</span> helped the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/">Wizards</a> keep things competitive, but the Wizards were never meant to win this game.</p>
<p>Schedule losses are a part of the NBA. One of the disadvantages of an 82 game schedule is that every now and then there are just game that naturally favor certain teams because one team is fresh and the other team is just trying to get home in one piece. Tonight was one of those games. But let's give credit to the Wizards for making tonight's contest close at the end, despite their struggles for most of the game.</p>
<p>Here's what we learned:</p>
<h3>The Wizards have issues against fast teams</h3>
<p>It's still weird to think a team with <span>John Wall</span> would struggle against fast teams, but outside of Wall, the team just isn't equipped to get into track meets. They've been able to use their depth to stave off challenges from weaker fast-paced teams like Boston and Denver. But against a team like Phoenix, who can run well with their starters and their bench, the Wizards just don't have much of a shot with the roster as it's currently constructed, with so many lumbering, immobile bigs.</p>
<h3>Wizards don't learn from history</h3>
<p>When the Wizards met the Suns back in December, <a href="http://www.bulletsforever.com/2014/12/21/7432067/suns-shine-bright-beat-wizards-104-92-as-they-fall-short-of-franchise/in/7195412">Phoenix handed Washington a humbling 104-92 loss</a> that tampered down the hype that had been building in nation's capital for most of the month.</p>
<p>The Suns forced John Wall into one of his worst performances of the season. Though his stats wasn't horrendous, Phoenix succeeded in keeping Wall from making the rest of the team better. When Wall wasn't making a spectacular play, the offense died. Beal, Pierce and Gortat all struggled to cobble points together. The Wizards only had three assists that Wall wasn't responsible for creating. If it had not been for big scoring games from <span>Rasual Butler</span> and <span>Kevin Seraphin</span>, the Wizards would have been run out of the Verizon Center well before the beginning of the fourth quarter.</p>
<p>Tonight, the Suns were able to make the same impositions. Wall was limited to 11 points on 16 shots. The Wizards struggled to generate offense without Wall (they only had 6 assists not go through Wall). None of the Wizards' guards (Wall, Beal, Temple, Miller or Butler) got to the free throw line, and Wall needed 16 shots to get 11 points.</p>
<h3>Hump Day</h3>
<p>Kris Humphries got the start on Wednesday for Nene and responded with some inspired play that kept the game somewhat interesting early. While the Wizards clearly didn't have the speed advantage tonight, Humphries did a decent job helping the Wizards' utilize their size advantage. He finished with 11 points and 15 rebounds. He may not have replicated Nene's all-around game, but he brought what he could to the table.</p>
<p>He also did this, for some reason late in the game.</p>
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<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
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<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>How to erase every possible positive thing you did in one possession. <a href="https://t.co/zYlV4o7s7l">https://t.co/zYlV4o7s7l</a></p>
— Hoop District (@HoopDistrictDC) <a href="https://twitter.com/HoopDistrictDC/status/560679346026074112">January 29, 2015</a>
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https://www.bulletsforever.com/2015/1/29/7936399/washington-wizards-phoenix-suns-nba-final-score-recapJake Whitacre2015-01-29T00:54:51-05:002015-01-29T00:54:51-05:00Otto Port3r<iframe class="vine-embed" src="https://vine.co/v/OtBW10je2nZ/embed/simple" width="480" height="480"></iframe>
<div class="source source-img"><p><p>Otto Porter hits the big time 3 pointer.</p></p></div>
https://www.bulletsforever.com/2015/1/29/7936421/otto-port3rAaronPerine2015-01-28T23:36:01-05:002015-01-28T23:36:01-05:00Too Fast<iframe class="vine-embed" src="https://vine.co/v/OTlgUVW6A63/embed/simple" width="480" height="480"></iframe>
<div class="source source-img"><p><p>John Wall converts the tough layup</p></p></div>
https://www.bulletsforever.com/2015/1/28/7936153/too-fastAaronPerine2015-01-28T22:56:02-05:002015-01-28T22:56:02-05:00Marcin Gortat Spinning<iframe class="vine-embed" src="https://vine.co/v/OTlAO6xlId5/embed/simple" width="480" height="480"></iframe>
<div class="source source-img"><p><p>Marcin Gortat drops the hammer on Alex Len.</p></p></div>
https://www.bulletsforever.com/2015/1/28/7935957/marcin-gortat-spinningAaronPerine2015-01-28T22:50:39-05:002015-01-28T22:50:39-05:00Beal running the floor<iframe class="vine-embed" src="https://vine.co/v/OTlmTwnqAge/embed/simple" width="480" height="480"></iframe>
<div class="source source-img"><p><p>John Wall finds Bradley Beal for the easy dunk in transition.</p></p></div>
https://www.bulletsforever.com/2015/1/28/7935933/beal-running-the-floorAaronPerine2015-01-28T21:50:38-05:002015-01-28T21:50:38-05:00Nene out with sore foot<h3 class="link-title"><a rel="nofollow" href="https://twitter.com/WashWizards/status/560626904982495233">Nene out with sore&nbsp;foot</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p><p>Probably not the worst idea to rest the big man on the final game of the road trip.</p></p></div>
https://www.bulletsforever.com/2015/1/28/7935277/nene-out-with-sore-footJake Whitacre2015-01-28T15:06:48-05:002015-01-28T15:06:48-05:00Wizards look for revenge vs. Suns
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<figcaption>Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Wizards dropped their last game against the Suns in D.C. in December. Looking for revenge tonight on the end of a back-to-back, Washington looks to end a four-game road swing out west with a W.</p> <p>Man, don't you miss the Wiz Kids playing at the Verizon Center?</p>
<p>It's been four long games, but the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/">Wizards</a> will return home shortly - they just have business to attend to Wednesday night in Phoenix against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/">Suns</a>.</p>
<p>Hopefully, this contest will fare better for Washington - who lost the last matchup in December - which will move the Wizards to winning five of their last six road games and seven of their last 11 overall.</p>
<p><b>When and where? </b>Sure do love national TV time - Stay up late and catch the game at 10:30 p.m. (EST) on ESPN live from the U.S. Airways Center.</p>
<p><b>Who's out?</b> Injuries are no fun and I'm sorry if I cursed it yesterday, but <span>John Wall</span>, <span>Paul Pierce</span> and <span>Martell Webster</span> are all currently day to day for Washington. Phoenix's Brandan Wright is also day to day.</p>
<p><b>Are they good? </b>After winning seven in a row at home, the Suns have dropped their last two games on their own floor. Yet, they are still 4-2 during the franchise-record eight-game home stand and do a quite a lot of things well, including creating turnovers and scoring on fast break points. They have the third best offense in the league - scoring an average of 107.4 points per game. Not to mention, their backcourt of <span>Goran Dragic</span> (who averages 16.5 ppg) and <span>Eric Bledsoe</span> (16.9 ppg) is certainly one of the best and deepest in the league.</p>
<p><b>Is John Wall Needed Tonight? </b>Is the Pope Catholic? Does the sun set in the West? Am I amazing at Twitter? These four questions are all always answered yes. According to ESPN, the Wall Star hasn't missed a game since the 2012-13 season, when the Wizards went 24-25 with him and 5-28 without him. This season when he's on the court, Washington has outscored opponents by a total of 242 points - but when he's off the court, they have ben outscored by 134 points. It's a beautiful stat and a testament to the value and talent of Wall, but it's also concerning when you toss the word "injury" in with his name. Though he originally was said to be nursing a sore Achilles heel prior to last night's game, he later revealed he was feeling under the weather with migraines ... and then later rolled his ankles in the comeback victory against Los Angeles. He's day to day, and could very well not play in tonight's game, but either way, we're watching him like a hawk.</p>
<p><b>Paint Me With Points?</b> The Suns are also the second worst in the league in allowing 46.5 points per game in the lane. These are stats the Wizards need to exploit and take advantage of with the speed of Wall and the shooting of <span>Bradley Beal</span>, as well as the big hands of <span>Marcin Gortat</span> and Nene.</p>
<p><b>Contenders or Pretenders?</b> The Wizards may be in second place in the Eastern Conference at 31-15, but they are just 10-12 against teams at or above. 500, compared to 21-3 against teams under .500. Granted, Phoenix is 26-20, they are a team that is still fighting for a playoff spot. Winning tonight's game at Phoenix would not only move the Wizards to 3-1 on the road swing, but boost their wins against Western Conference teams.</p>
https://www.bulletsforever.com/2015/1/28/7930221/wizards-suns-washington-preview-road-swingKelly Cohen