“It’s just part of the rookie initiation” – Deni Avdija’s early foul trouble and Wizards’ fourth quarter defense proves costly again

Dec 27, 2020 | Jews in Sports

Given that Russell Westbrook was traded less than a month ago, Davis Bertans is on a minutes restriction, and Rui Hachimura is sidelined with a severe case of pink eye, it is understandable that the Wizards are off to a slow start. Add to the fact that Israeli sensation rookie Deni Avdija was in early foul trouble despite scoring 5 points, pulling down 3 rebounds and dishing out 2 assists in only 15 minutes of play, the Wizards need to start picking up victories.

The Washington Wizards starting five – EPA-EFE/Geoff Burke

Unfortunately in a condensed 72-game regular season, Washington must get on track quickly after beginning the year 0-2, falling in their home opener to the Orlando Magic, 130-120. After surrendering 40 fourth-quarter points in Philadelphia on Wednesday, Washington gave up 38 to Orlando on Saturday in the final frame.

“Every mistake we made, they capitalized,” Scott Brooks said post-game. “Two games, fourth-quarter defense, got to clean that up. They were stronger with the cuts. They were physical with their offensive rebounds, crashing the boards, and they made timely threes.”

Bradley Beal – EPA-EFE/Geoff Burke

Bradley Beal continues to look like an All-NBA talent with 39 points on 14-for-24 shooting to go along with seven rebounds and five assists in 37 minutes. Beal was consistently defended by Evan Fournier who he has some history with that could have been added motivation for last season’s second-leading scorer. Alas, Beal could not will his team to victory simply through offense and that is often going to be the case when allowing 130 points.

Russell Westbrook – EPA-EFE/Geoff Burke

“Them just playing harder than we do,” Beal assessed about Orlando always having Washington’s number. “Defensively we had a lot of slip-ups that shouldn’t have been there. A lot of easy switching situations that we didn’t do and communicate. Just taking an individual challenge, can’t get beat off the dribble. We got to show more resistance in all areas of the game. I got beat on a few backdoors, cuts, and things too. We just have to be more solid and disciplined again once the last five, six minutes of the game it’s time to lock in and win.”

Davis Bertans – EPA-EFE/Geoff Burke

Although it is not a reliable method of winning, Washington would have gotten a chance to outscore Orlando to victory if Russell Westbrook was able to hit more of his shot attempts. The All-NBA point guard had his second straight triple-double with 15 points, 15 rebounds, and 12 assists, but that came on 6-for-19 shooting. Westbrook owned his poor shooting performance after the game. Davis Bertans shooting 2-for-10 from beyond the arc, as he continues to get his legs under him, also did not help the outcome.

Deni Avdija – EPA-EFE/Geoff Burke

Deni Avdija played just 15 minutes in his second consecutive start due to foul trouble early. The 19-year old picked up two fouls in the game’s first 3:22 and then picked up his third foul after just 59 seconds of play in the second quarter. Within 1:23 of the second half, Avdija had picked up his fourth foul putting him at less than six minutes of play through three quarters. Nonetheless, the Wizards rookie is still perfect from the field with 5 points on 2-for-2 shooting including a much-needed three-pointer.

“It’s just part of the rookie initiation, they say that doesn’t happen but we all know,” Brooks said. “Just got to keep putting his head down and not complain. I didn’t think two of them were fouls, but that’s just a part of growing up in this league.”

Russell Westbrook – EPA-EFE/Geoff Burke

Washington will play Orlando again at home in less than 24 hours and we will see if Russell Westbrook will sit out of the team’s first back-to-back as has been mentioned before by Scott Brooks as a load management strategy.

“I told the guys as soon as we walked into the locker room, Orlando has our number, and tomorrow whatever the hell it takes, we got to win,” Beal shared. “Whatever that means, whatever it looks like, we have to win tomorrow.”

Bradley Beal – EPA-EFE/Geoff Burke

Sign up for our newsletter

0 Comments

You may also like…

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates. 

You have Successfully Subscribed!