Rookie guard helps end six-game losing streak
If there’s been one consistent knock against John Wall, it has been his inconsistent midrange jumper, which most opponents have defended by simply giving the rookie point guard all the space he wants and daring him to shoot.
That strategy backfired on Sunday at Verizon Center, where Wall heated up from 15 feet just as his Wizards teammates woke up at halftime, matching their biggest comeback of the season to defeat New Jersey 98-92 in front of 17,761.
With the score tied at 90-90, Wall buried consecutive step-backs from the elbow — the first over 7-footer Brook Lopez (21 points, 10 rebounds) with 1:22 remaining, the second 36 seconds later over Damion James — to clinch Washington’s first series win of the year.
“What’s most impressive from my perspective is that he doesn’t really know how to play yet,” Wizards veteran Maurice Evans (15 points) said. “Just project out when he has more experience and he really knows exactly who to get the ball to more, time and score, how to manage the game just a little bit better. Then he’s really going to be an All-Star in this league.”
Without the still-injured quartet of Andray Blatche, Josh Howard, Rashard Lewis and Nick Young, the short-handed Wizards (17-51) needed all of Wall’s game-high 26 points, eight assists, six rebounds and four steals. Their victory snapped a six-game skid that looked destined to grow to seven when the Nets (22-46), despite the absence of Deron Williams (strained right wrist), opened a double-digit lead in the first quarter, led by as many as 17 points in the second and shot 56.5 percent in the first half to take a 56-43 lead into halftime.
New Jersey got 19 points from Anthony Morrow, 18 points and 17 rebounds from Kris Humphries and 10 points and a career-high 17 assists from Jordan Farmar. But it made just four field goals in the third quarter, in which it was outscored by Washington 28-12. Responding to stern halftime words from Wizards coach Flip Saunders, the Wizards tied the game at 66-66 when JaVale McGee (16 points, seven rebounds) swooped in for a putback, and Jordan Crawford (21 points) followed with a three-point play for Washington’s first lead since the game’s second basket.
“I think it’s a great experience,” said Wall, claiming he was as confident as he’s been all season. “It ain’t like all the games we’re playing are really blowouts. Most games are kind of close at first or close for a while and then fatigue kicks in, and they’re showing the other guys we’re doing a better job of fighting. I think if we just keep fighting and playing hard and, like coach said, don’t turn the ball over, we’ll win games more.”
