Wizards Drop Tight One in Indy
The Wizards took the Pacers to the brink, but came up just short and fell 93-89, on Thursday night in Indiana.
A game in which the Wizards built themselves an eight point lead in the third quarter, ended in disappointment as the fourth quarter was unkind once again to the young Wizards. The signs of improvement were certainly there, just as they have been over the past two weeks as the Wizards have now limited opponents to under 100 points for seven straight games. But, another last second loss will be tough to swallow for this team as the final minutes of games have become tretcherous over this stretch.
Jordan Crawford led the team with 20 points, which is the seventh consecutive game he has eclipsed the 20 point plataeu. The last Wizards player to accomplish that feat was Antawn Jamison in 2010.
Nene added 16 points and 13 boards in the effort. This was Nene's third double-double in six games played with the Wizards.
John Wall had 13 points, Trevor Booker pulled down 11 rebounds, and Cartier Martin added 10 points off the bench in his first game of the season after being recalled from the D-League on Wednesday.
The Wizards are back in action on Friday night when they return home to host the Philadelphia 76ers.
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Highlights
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Postgame
WIZARDS GUARD JOHN WALL:
On game
“They got a lead (in the fourth quarter) and they just kept it the rest of the quarter. We were fighting, but we couldn’t find a way to get back in front. (What’s missing as the team improves?) Just executing down the stretch and getting the right shot attempts. We’re getting a lot better as a team. We’re right in games with a lot of playoff teams. But we have to find a way to close out games.”
WIZARDS GUARD JORDAN CRAWFORD:
On game
“You have to make simple, simple plays down the stretch. It might sound trivial or fundamental, but it has to be the easiest play you can make down the stretch and if it’s not, then you can’t take the chance. They’re busting their tails and playing hard, we just have to break through the barrier. Everybody wants to win and we’re putting ourselves in position to win every game. We just came up short. You can’t let frustration get the best of you. You have to keep plugging away. We’re doing a lot of positive things and we’ve got to remember that part.”
WIZARDS HEAD COACH RANDY WITTMAN:
On game
“You have to make simple, simple plays down the stretch. It might sound trivial or fundamental, but it has to be the easiest play you can make down the stretch and if it’s not, then you can’t take the chance. They’re busting their tails and playing hard, we just have to break through the barrier. Everybody wants to win and we’re putting ourselves in position to win every game. We just came up short. You can’t let frustration get the best of you. You have to keep plugging away. We’re doing a lot of positive things and we’ve got to remember that part.”