(Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Washington Wizards touted a unique jersey change on Thursday night’s game against the Denver Nuggets, paying homage to the past by wearing throwback Baltimore Bullets uniforms. The team was referred to as the Baltimore Bullets on the scoreboard, in the commentary, during all in-game announcements and on the television broadcast.
Despite the excitement and nostalgia however, the game would mark the team’s fifth loss in the last six games and their third straight defeat.
After starting the contest as a fairly even match-up with both teams scoring 29 points in the first quarter, the competition began to tilt in Denver’s favor.
Washington did turn up the intensity in the fourth quarter, beginning with a 20-8 run. They battled back from a major deficit and scored 18 points in a comeback to tie the game 99–99.
The Nuggets played solid defense and the Wizards hit a stretch of almost three minutes where they did not score one point. Four straight possessions resulted in no increase in their score and two turnovers.
Unfortunately for Washington, Denver responded by hitting two back-to-back three-pointers with just a little over three minutes remaining in the game to rebuild distance on the scoreboard. Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari scored 26 points, six assists and five rebounds.
In the end, the Wizards fell to the Nuggets 117-113. Guard Garrett Temple led the team with 20 points, guards John Wall and Bradley Beal both finished with 17 points and center Nene had 15 points. Center Marcin Gortat and forward Jared Dudley both put 12 points on the board and guard Ramon Sessions logged 11 points.
It is imperative that the Wizards pick up their efforts defensively in order to still make a significant run to get into the post season playoffs.
“For us, it’s, ‘what team are we trying to be here?’” Dudley contemplated after the game regarding the team’s identity. “You can’t keep coming into this locker room and talking about inconsistency because April 15th, we’ll all be back at the crib.”
Washington ended the night with seven players scoring in double figures. The Wizards are now 10-15 at home at the Verizon Center.
Note: John Wall was voted into the 2016 All Star Game Thursday night for the third time in his career.