Perimeter defense still the culprit for Washington
At least the Wizards are changing the script.
With determined fourth-quarter comebacks Friday against the Lakers and Saturday at Chicago, the Wizards deviated from their pattern of blowing fourth quarter leads. But the results were the same — two more frustrating, close-call defeats in a season that is spinning out of control.
In the fourth quarter Friday night, the Wizards (3-15) whittled a 19-point deficit to one. Saturday, they cut a 17-point margin to four. But the losses left them 1-11 in games decided by 10 or fewer points.
“I think I’m going to tell the guys at the start of the second half, it’s the fourth quarter,” said Ed Tapscott, now 2-5 as Wizards interim head coach.
Nice comebacks, yes, but how did the Wizards dig such big holes? The culprit was familiar — terrible perimeter defense. On Friday, the Lakers hit 10 of 20 attempts from 3-point range. The next night, the Bulls made 11 of 20, led former Wizard Larry Hughes, who dropped 5 of 6 on his way to 24 points.
“We were constantly chasing them,” said Tapscott of the Bulls, who used a smaller lineup.
In their effort to guard the inside with traps and help, the Wizards leave opposing players open on the arc for catch-and-shoot treys. It’s nothing new. Last year the Wizards gave up a single-season record 768 three-pointers.
Washington is getting plenty offense, led by mainstays Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler. The Wizards shot 50 percent this weekend, and out-rebounded opponents 85-71.
But yielding 51 percent from the floor and 53 percent from 3-point range, as Washington did this weekend, is a recipe for disaster.
And if it continues, it will be a long, lost season.
The week ahead
» The Wizards host Detroit (11-8) on Tuesday, hoping to avenge a 117-109 loss on Nov. 1.
» On Thursday, the Wizards host Boston, which was 19-2 going into last night’s game at Indiana.
