Ramon Sessions

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

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Photos: Wizards vs. Pistons - 3/29/18

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Photos  | Box Score

Fueled by a 33-11 run in the second quarter, the Wizards beat the Spurs on Tuesday night, 116-106. Seven players scored in double figures in the win, with Markieff Morris leading the scoring with 15 points on a perfect 7-for-7 shooting. Washington shot 54.8% overall in the game, dishing out 33 assists. The Spurs were held to just 44.8% shooting and only made 18-of-33 free throws in the game.

The Wizards started hot by making 9-of-13 field goals to start, with Otto Porter Jr. and Morris’ 11 points each in the first half leading the way. Morris would only play 12 minutes due to foul trouble, but both players made all five of their shots in the first half.

The Spurs opened up a 31-23 lead early in the second quarter. Washington responded on a 33-11 run over 10 minutes, making 12-of-23 field goals. More importantly, the Wizards held the Spurs to 3-of-16 from the field during that stretch. Oubre, who had eight points and seven rebounds in the opening 24 minutes, led a bench group that scored 29 first half points.

San Antonio was able to get to the line 16 times in the first half, but the team only made nine of their attempts. Washington would lead 59-45 at halftime, despite Bradley Beal only scoring three points in the half and seven overall in the game. The team’s 38 points were the most in a second quarter all season.

LaMarcus Aldridge had 13 points in the first half, but would not return after halftime due to a left knee contusion. Marcin Gortat took advantage, scoring 11 points and grabbing five rebounds in 12 minutes in the third quarter. Gortat’s play and the Wizards’ 65.0% shooting in the third quarter would amount to a 22-point lead heading into the fourth quarter.

The starters outside of Tomas Satoransky were able to get some much needed rest in the fourth quarter, as the Wizards slowly but surely but the Spurs away. Ramon Sessions scored eight of his 12 points and the team shot 50% from the field in the fourth. San Antonio would try to sneak back late, but the Wizards were able to break through the Spurs’ press and win by 10 points.

“Probably their communication," Beal said of the bench's success tonight. "Honestly, from both us starters and the bench it’s our defense. I think the bench was definitely active and very talkative tonight which is something that’s been kind of our downfall. When we’re active and talkative, and when they do that we’re really good. They trusted each other on offense to make the right simple plays, right reason, [unselfish] plays and it’s always better when everyone is making some shots. It just made it that much better.”

Overall, it was a classic team effort in the win with 10 guys scoring seven or more points in the game. The bench had 61 points in the victory, with four of those second unit players scoring in double figures. After letting the Spurs get a nine-point lead early, the Wizards responded with a 65-34 run.

“I thought the guys played extremely hard on both ends," Scott Brooks said postgame. "I like the fact that we didn't make shots in that first quarter but we kept competing, we kept moving the basketball, we kept sharing the ball. Sooner or later you're going to get rewarded with some good opportunities, and in that second quarter, we did. I thought we came out in the third quarter with a defensive mindset, which we did. It was a good win all the way around. A lot of guys chipped in. A lot of good shooting performances by our starting five.”

The win snapped the Wizards’ three-game losing streak and helped them stay at the No. 6 seed in the East. Washington can clinch a playoff berth on Thursday with a win in Detroit against the Pistons at 7:00pm.

“I wouldn’t say it was too nice," Morris said of the win. "I just feel like we should win. We don’t come into games looking to lose. We play the way we know we can play. With or without John [Wall], we can compete with the best teams in the league. We showed that tonight.”

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Wizards roll past Spurs, 116-106

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Photos: Wizards vs. Spurs - 3/27/18

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Photos: Special Olympics DC Clinic - 3/26/18

The Wizards struggled to get going offensively on Sunday night, falling to the Knicks, 101-97. On the night the Wizards honored the 40th anniversary of the Bullets’ 1977-78 championship season, Washington only shot 42.5% and had 14 costly turnovers in the loss. Bradley Beal led the team with 14 points, as seven players had eight or more points.

The Knicks came out scorching hot in the first half, making 58.5% of their field goals. Their high-scoring kept them ahead most of the game, while the Wizards struggled to get going. Both teams turned it over a bunch in the first half, but the Knicks converted on their turnover opportunities more.

Washington’s bench had 44 of the team’s 97 points in the game, giving the team energy at multiple times in the game. Ramon Sessions provided a spark in the first half, getting to the line five times. He would finish the game with 11 points, making all seven of his free throws. Kelly Oubre Jr. had a huge putback dunk in the fourth quarter and finished with 13 points.

The Wizards played small ball with Markieff Morris at the center position almost the entire fourth quarter. Washington was able to cut into the league by switching on defense and converting on offense. Tomas Satoransky had a big second half, and would finish the game with nine points and 10 assists.

Beal hit a big triple to tie the game at 88-88 with 4:24 remaining, and the teams went back-and-forth. Eventually, the Wizards took a 95-94 lead with 1:08 left on a Morris jumper.

Down one, Trey Burke would make a fast break lay-up and the foul with 35.0 seconds left. The Wizards had chances to even the game late, but the Knicks fouled up three to make it tough for the Wizards to tie it up.

“Our defense was good in the second half,” Scott Brooks said postgame. “We played harder and we played better in that second half defensively, but we’re struggling scoring the basketball right now.”

“We thought that we could just show up and play because they don’t have anything to play for,” Beal said after the game. “We just thought it was going to be a cake walk and they just smacked us in the mouth.”

Next up, the Wizards host the Spurs on Tuesday night at 7:00pm. Washington remains the No. 6 seed, one game ahead of Milwaukee.

Ramon Sessions

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

Photos: Wizards vs. Pistons - 3/29/18

Wizards roll past Spurs, 116-106

Photos: Wizards vs. Spurs - 3/27/18

Photos: Special Olympics DC Clinic - 3/26/18

Wizards fall to Knicks, 101-97

Photos: Wizards vs. Knicks - 3/25/18

Wizards - Nuggets Postgame Locker Room - 3/23/18