addByline("Zach Rosen", "WashingtonWizards.com", "ZacharySRosen");
The Wizards looked sharp in their third preseason game on Friday, winning 115-99 against the Knicks. After trailing by as many as 15 early in the first quarter, the Wizards went on a 50-17 run to close the first half. Bradley Beal scored 21 points in the first half to lead the Wizards, while Marcus Morris led the Knicks with 21.
The 50-17 run started as a 20-0 run, as the team’s defense was fantastic in the second quarter. The Wizards would hold the Knicks to 5-of-20 shooting in the second quarter, while shooting 15-of-23 themselves. Davis Bertans (nine points), McRae and Beal would lead the charge, as the Wizards took an 18-point lead at the half.
“The second unit did a good job coming in, we got a boost," Beal said after the game. "(Davis) Bertans did a good job of making shots, him and J-Mac (Jordan McRae). They were pretty much controlling the whole second unit. We went on that run, it was really on defense, getting stops."
Washington was impressive from beyond the arc, making 19-of-41 (46.3%). Seven players hit two or more 3-pointers on the night. The Wizards were 8-of-12 from deep in that excellent second quarter.
Beal did not play in the second half, and finished the night with those 21 points in only 17 minutes. He made 8-of-14 shots from the field and absolutely took over the game in the second quarter.
Moe Wagner continued his strong preseason with 18 points, including 8-for-8 from the free throw line. Jordan McRae and Justin Anderson each scored 15 points off the bench, while Thomas Bryant added a double-double in 23 minutes.
"I thought we created a lot of opportunities to get out in transition and get easy buckets," Scott Brooks said postgame. "It gave us confidence on the offensive end by playing good defense and we were swarming all over the floor, playing to our identity, to be a scrappy basketball game."
For the Wizards, Rui Hachimura (rest) did not play, while several players for the Knicks sat out including Dennis Smith Jr. and Kevin Knox. Hachimura is expected to return on Sunday against the Bucks at home. Tip is scheduled for 6:00 P.M. from the nation’s capital.