Tomas Satoransky

waszrosen

photos-tomas-satoransky-2017-18-season-in-review

Photos: Tomas Satoransky 2017-18 Season in Review

nbaplatformservices

Tomas Satoransky 2017-18 Season in Highlights

tomas-satoransky-2017-18-season-in-highlights

tomas-satoransky-exit-interview-2018

Tomas Satoransky Exit Interview 2018

photos-wizards-vs-raptors-game-1-4-14-18

Photos: Wizards vs. Raptors - Game 1 (4/14/18)

photos-wizards-vs-hawks-4-6-18

Photos: Wizards vs. Hawks - 4/6/18

addByline("Zach Rosen", "WashingtonWizards.com", "ZacharySRosen");
Photos  | Box Score

On Easter Sunday in Chicago, the Bulls made 18 3-pointers and blew out the Wizards, winning 113-94. In the second game of a back-to-back, the Wizards rested John Wall as he returns to action. Tomas Satoransky started in his place, scoring nine points and dishing out six assists. Otto Porter Jr. led the Wizards with 17 points, while Lauri Markannen starred for the Bulls with 23.

Chicago’s 18 3-pointers tied a franchise record and were the most the Wizards have given up in a game this season. Eight different Bulls players made the triples, including 10 of them coming from the team’s bench.

The Bulls came out sizzling from beyond the arc in the first quarter, making 8-of-11 3-pointers and jumping out to as much as a 15-point lead. Entering the game ranked 26th in the NBA in 3-point percentage, the Bulls would finish the first half with 11 3-pointers. Markannen had four of those first half triples, while Bobby Portis added 13 points off the bench in the game’s first 24 minutes. The Bulls would shoot 64.3% overall in the first half, hitting tough shots.

The Wizards shot 53.4% in the first half as well, but struggled from beyond the arc, only making 4-of-16 3-pointers. Mike Scott gave Washington a boost off the bench with nine points, tying Bradley Beal and Porter in team-high points in the first half. The Wizards assisted on 17 of their 23 field goals, but their perimeter defense made them face a nine-point deficit at the half, 68-59.

Turnovers began to plague the Wizards in the second half, as Washington finished with 17 in the game for 19 Bulls points. Ball control has been an issue without Wall, something the Wizards have emphasized in recent weeks. The third quarter would be low-scoring on both sides, but the Bulls took over in the fourth quarter and would win the game by 19 points.

Washington finished with 27 assists on its 37 field goals, which is now a franchise record 10th straight game with 25 or more assists in game. The Wizards played their bench most of the fourth quarter due to the large deficit, but the team was clearly sluggish on a day-game back-to-back.

"We weren’t ready," Scott Brooks said postgame. "We weren’t ready mentally. When you’re not ready mentally you’re not going to have a chance to win.”

The Wizards’ road trip will continue in Houston on Tuesday against the Rockets at 8:00pm. Wall is expected to return to the lineup. Markieff Morris returned to action after leaving Saturday's game with flu-like symptoms.

bulls-rout-wizards-in-chicago-113-94

Bulls rout Wizards in Chicago, 113-94

photos-wizards-vs-bulls-4-1-18

Photos: Wizards vs. Bulls - 4/1/18

Fueled by John Wall’s return, the Wizards defeated the Hornets 107-93 on Saturday afternoon to clinch a playoff berth for the fourth time in five years. The Wizards tied a franchise-high with 18 3-pointers as John Wall returned to the lineup for the first time in 27 games.

Wall, who finished the game 15 points and 14 assists, was back with no minutes restrictions. For a player who missed two months of action, Wall was agile and was able to play 33 minutes. He was athletic and his passing was as good as ever. Wall said after the game that he felt great and his conditioning from practice in recent weeks prepared him for playing in games again.

“That Ferrari is pretty good,” Scott Brooks said, referencing Wall postgame. “He's fast, he's quick. He got a lot of open shots for a lot of players. That's what he does. That's what he does at the highest level in the league.”

“I just wanted to come back and play as well as I could,” Wall said of his performance. “I know I haven’t played in two months, so try not to force the issue, just play my game, and take shots that I always have. But, also keep those guys in a great rhythm because they’ve been playing well. Just make their job a lot easier so they don’t have to waste so much energy. I think we did a great job of that tonight.”

Otto Porter Jr. shined on his bobblehead day, scoring 26 points on 10-of-15 shooting (6-10 from deep) and grabbing 11 rebounds. Porter and Bradley Beal combined for 12 of the Wizards’ 18 3-pointers. Beal scored 14 of his 22 points in the third quarter, making four triples off passes from Wall. The Wizards would put up 37 in the third quarter, anchoring the win.

Markieff Morris left the game in the first quarter due to flu-like symptoms, but Mike Scott filled in for Morris with 15 points in 22 minutes.

The Wizards opened the game on a 16-8 run, with Wall hitting his first field goal – a triple. He would finish the first half with 10 points and six assists and no turnovers. Porter came out shooting hot as well, scoring 13 points on 5-of-6 shooting in the first half. Tomas Satoransky also provided a spark off the bench in the first quarter, playing aggressive offensively and making three straight shots.

The Hornets shot 54.3% in the first half, but only led by one point heading into the locker room as the Wizards forced 11 turnovers for 14 points off turnovers. The Wizards had a major opportunity in the second quarter, but did not take advantage. They were in the bonus with 8:19 to go in the second quarter, but did not attempt a free throw in that timespan. Charlotte controlled the paint, outscoring the Wizards 28-16 down low. Led by Dwight Howard’s 12 points and eight rebounds, the Hornets made 14-of-19 shots in the paint in the first half.

The Wizards took over the game in the second half, starting defensively. The Wizards held the Hornets to 16-of-42 (38.1%) shooting in the second half, including only 3-of-17 from beyond the arc. Charlotte would finish the game with 17 turnovers for 21 Washington points, as Walker only had nine points by game’s end on 3-of-9 shooting with four turnovers. Wall locked in on Walker, holding him scoreless in the first half.

As aforementioned, Wizards clinched a playoff berth with a win. They don’t know who they’ll play quite yet, but to be able to officially say the Wizards are going to the postseason means a lot to a team that has gone through a lot this season.

“I'm really proud of our guys,” Brooks said postgame about clinching. “A lot of guys really chipped in and helped us get this position.  A lot of injuries throughout the year…a lot of times when your star players get hurt, it's tough to win games, as you know and as you see. But our guys chipped in, helped each other out. We've had a lot of good moments, and we had some tough moments. We lost three out of four.

“Give those guys credit for the way they played,” Wall expressed after the game. “If we did not have that one five game win streak or start off very well when I was injured, we would be a team trying to fight and get into the playoffs. I give those guys a lot of credit for holding it down while I was out. We have an opportunity to be healthy and try to make a push and see what could happen.”

Brooks said Wall will not play Sunday in Chicago against Bulls, but he’s open to playing him in future back-to-backs. Satoransky will start in his place against the Bulls, which tips at 3:30pm from Chicago.