[ WE Game Recap ] - Wizards vs. Clippers: Wiz Snap 4-Game Slide

wizards 98 clippers 90
2/04/2013 - Verizon Center, Washington, DC
ESPN Boxscore
CSNWashington.com Game Highlights


(Ned Dishman/Getty Images)

The Wizards didn't need to quiet the throngs of newly minted Clipper fans who came to see the CP3 and Blake show, the announcement of Griffin sitting out tempered all of their enthusiasm.

And don't look now but The Wiz Kids looked like they've finally gelled and they seem to enjoy playing together. They are winners of six of their last seven at home and they are beginning to understand how deep this team really is. On any given night you don’t know who is going to have the hot hand and tonight it was Martell Webster. Emeka Okafor would be an honorable mention as he continued his torrid rebounding rate, pulling down 14 boards tonight.

In the first half, the Wizards looked completely in control of the game. But despite the absence of their two best players, the Clippers hung around thanks in large part to Jamal Crawford’s play off of the bench.   If only Jo. Crawford could play like Ja. Crawford, WE'd be in business.

After letting the Clippers back into the game the Wiz executed one of their best close outs of the season with great defense and timely shots to secure the win.

For most Wizards fans their fondest 'Zards  memories include some combination of Agent Zero, The Captain, and Tough Juice. So for me it’s always nice when one of the Big Three comes into town. Although Caron probably didn't think it was so nice, he had a game he’d like to forget. He struggled from the field going 6-16 and 1-6 from behind the arc.

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Martell Webster gets the MVP of tonight’s game. He shot 6-10 from the field, 5-6 from three, and 2-2 from the line, leading the team with 21 points. He also threw in five rebounds and three assists for good measure. . In other words he was as efficient as a Swiss Watch and that efficiency has entrenched him as a fan favorite in the Phone Booth. He barely edged out another fan favorite, Garrett Temple for the award. While Temple’s stat line wasn’t as impressive as Webster’s, he did hit some timely baskets. But Martell was that dude tonight.

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Jordan Crawford: I don’t know if he did something to get into Randy Witman’s doghouse but Jordan Crawford did not get any burn in this game. He only logged six minutes which was the lowest of any player that actually played. Jo. Crawford was able to hit a three before he got yanked. This was the second game in a row that Jordan didn't play in the fourth quarter and he looked as if he was checked out of the game from the start. Six minutes and 1-3 shooting isn’t what you expect from your “sixth man”. Speaking of sixth men....

Jamal Crawford: Blake Griffin was the original spotlight but he apparently pulled his hammy in practice -- perhaps when he was doing flopping drills. So with CP3 and Blake both out, Jamal Crawford did what he does best which is score off of the bench. Ja. Crawford finished with 28 points on 10-20 shooting. Getting 20 shots off of the bench must be an inherent skill for players named J. Crawford.
 

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The Good

The win. Winning is always good especially when you’ve only won 11 games before this one. The best part of this win was how well balanced and efficent the Wizards played at times. There were five players in double figures and Okafor was one point shy of another double-double. These guys are growing up right before our eyes.
 

The Bad

It's tough to find the bad in wins like this one but the Wizards struggled from the free throw line AGAIN. This time they hit 17 of 27, a measely 63%. I know I'm starting to sound like a broken record and I hate being a Debbie Downer but this team is still not good enough to fail hitting their FREE throws at a more consistent clip.
 

The Ugly

Once again not much ugly in this game but if I had to highlight something it would be John Wall's shooting percentage. John struggled from the field tonight shooting 33% on 6-18 shooting. He didn't have much lift on his jumpshot and couldn't finish at the rim a few times. However, he did hit two big shots at the end of regulation to put the game away and prompt Buckhantz to scream DAGGER!!! (yeah, I heard him)