Wizards Win Fifth Straight Over Timberwolves
The Washington Wizards continued their dominance at home putting a beating to the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Wizards started the game with intimidating defense and ended with an high powered offensive attack. The only lead the Timberwolves had was from the first shot of the game to give them a 2-0 lead. The Wizards clearly dominated throughout the entire game and ended up with a 109-95 victory.
The Wizards came into the first quarter on fire offensively and defensively, starting with an 18-5 run. The Wizards knocked down 3-3 shots from behind the arc which seemed to be a shot the Timberwolves could not stop all night. The Timberwolves struggled to get the offensive going early, being held to shooting just 25% from the field. The Wizards defense helped give them an early 27-16 lead.
During the second quarter, the Wizards continued their great defensive play and were hitting three point shots consistently. The Timberwolves struggled to make shots, especially from the free-throw line, shooting 4-14 in the first half. The Wizards were able to hold a comfortable 46-36 halftime lead.
The Timberwolves found a way to come within five in the third quarter thanks to Thaddeus Youngs’ 19 third quarter points. Washington seemingly had no answer for Young as he took advantage from Paul Pierce (toe) being unable to play. After three quarters of play, the Timberwolves found themselves down just 74-69.
Rasual Butler put the team on his back to prevent the upset victory from the Timberwolves. Butler ended up scoring 18 points in the fourth quarter and connected on three three-point shots. Give props to John Wall who recorded the assists for every shot Butler made during the fourth-quarter. The Wizards pulled away late and defeated the Timberwolves 109-95.
Wall continued to impress with his great passing and shooting abilities ending up with 21 points and 17 assists. Butler finished with a team high 23 points off of the bench while shooting 4-5 from behind the arc. Marcin Gortat finished with 15 points and Otto Porter Jr. scored 10 points during his first career start. The Wizards were banging down shots behind the arc all night long shooting an efficient 59%.
The Timberwolves free throw lines struggles hurt them by shooting just 20-35. Young finished with a game high 29 points while shooting 12-19. Shabazz Muhammad totaled 21 points along with three steals off of the bench.
Topper’s Top Player: Rasual Butler. Butler continues to impress everybody with his veteran presence off of the bench. Butler is proving to be a sharp-shooting sixth man that can make the clutch deep shots. Butler thrives off of the three-point shot and proves he is one of the best from behind the arc hitting 52% of his three-point shots.
Watch: Tying a career-high with 17 assists, @JohnWall leads the @WashWizards past the @MNTimberwolves: http://t.co/wNGrVoZPDU
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) December 17, 2014
The Wizards improve their record to 18-6 and are currently in second place in the Eastern Conference. Randy Wittman’s team will will enjoy a three day break before heading to Miami Friday night to take on the Heat at the American Airlines Arena.
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