WASHINGTON — The Washington Wizards were looking to stop their losing streak by beating the Golden State Warriors last night at the Verizon Center. Regrettably, they did not succeed. In a match-up that we, here at Sports Journey, felt featured the top-two backcourts in the league, the Wizards could not play up to the praise we have been heaping on them all season long.
It was a closely contested game throughout the majority of the first half with Washington controlling the tempo, gaining a 10-point lead and limiting the three-point opportunities of the Warriors. From the way things went during the first half, it seemed as if it would be a good old-fashioned shootout with the Wizards coming out on top in the end.
Unfortunately that was not the case.
At half time the score was tied 58-58 and it was still anyone’s game to win or lose. Golden State opened the second half of the game with a whopping 30-5 run that left the Wizards stunned and disconcerted for the rest of the game. They never fully recovered from the onslaught.
Warriors’ shooting guard Klay Thompson scored 26 points and was six-of-nine from beyond the arc. Meanwhile, his Wizards counterpart, Bradley Beal — who is still playing limited minutes to recoup from an earlier season left leg injury — had only nine points. Beal started the first half shooting four-of-six and went zero-for-nine the rest of the way.
Golden State point guard Stephan Curry, the league leader in turnovers, had 10 assists, just two turnovers and 14 points. Curry’s shots weren’t falling as most people are used to seeing but he made up for it by being a great facilitator. He was definitely able to showcase his court vision during this game — provided the lucky alley-oop off of the backboard to teammate center Andrew Bogut is not included. Curry’s Wizards’ equivalent, John Wall, matched the Warrior in the assists, turnovers and points department. Still it wasn’t enough.
Golden State had a major x-factor in power forward David Lee who put up 21 points, 11 rebounds and six assists. But Washington had no one who came close to matching his intensity on the court.
The Warriors were able to extend their win streak to nine games and silence any doubters about their backcourt not being number one. Meanwhile the Wizards have now lost four of their last six.
The final score: 112-96, Warriors.
Michael Meadows is an NBA credentialed media member who covers the Washington Wizards for Sports Journey. He is a creative and talented videographer as well. Follow Mr. Meadows on Twitter: @hypemdws