Wizards Defense Shuts Down Pelicans in 109-89 Win

Point guard John Wall’s triple-double performance helped propel the Washington Wizards to a decisive win over the New Orleans Pelicans 109-89 Tuesday night at the Verizon Center. This victory marks the longest home-game winning streak for the Wizards this season with four straight.

Washington’s game plan consisted around converting fast-break opportunities, shutting down Pelicans center Anthony Davis and holding New Orleans to less than 100 points scored, and the Wizards took care of business on all fronts. As a matter of fact, the Wizards did such a great job on defense that they held Davis to just nine points the entire game. He had scored 59 points in the Pelicans’ previous game so the home team knew it absolutely could not approach him lightly.

For a team that consists of players with such speed, Washington has great success when it is able to convert its fast-break transition opportunities and this game proved to be no exception. The Wizards had 18 transition points in the first half, finishing the game with 38. This showed how explosive Washington was in pushing the pace. The Pelicans were not hustling back at full-sprint to put themselves in the best position defensively.

Wall had his fifth triple-double of his career, finishing with 16 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists. Teammate and center Marcin Gortat reached his 30th double-double with 21 points and 11 rebounds.

Wizards small forward Jared Dudley put up a huge effort in the matchup, hitting threes and hustling defensively to shut down the Pelicans top-scorer and threat, Davis. Dudley ended the night with 18 points, six of which were three-point shots. Three of those came in the third quarter and he scored them back-to-back-to-back. Dudley getting hot in the third quarter really helped the Wizards pull away with the lead, as the team outscored the Pelicans 31-14 in that period.

Washington guard Bradley Beal emphasized the importance of strong defense after the game.

“It’s good when we actually stop being stubborn and actually listen to what we need to do and actually execute it,” he said. “Every time we hold a team under 100 points we get a win so we just have to continue to realize what’s working for us, realize that our defense is what’s winning these games.”

Washington’s starters outscored the Pelicans’ starters 68-32. In fact, all of New Orleans’ starters scored in the single digits only.

The Wizards are now 16-5 when they hold opponents to under 100 points. If the team continues playing this sort of defense every time they step on the court, opponents will really have to watch out during this second half of the season.

The game brings Washington’s record to 26-29.