This is what usually happens when one team is on the rise and another adrift. Charlotte is enjoying this season. Washington seems to be living in depression. Both met last night and the Hornets literally passed over the capital to conclude the game 119-97.
Gordon Hayward went up to 25 points and 5 rebounds. Terry Rozier was the leading scorer with 26 points. LaMelo Ball, already established as a starter, did a bit of everything with 19 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. Too many water leaks to deal with for just one man, Bradley Beal, who was once again very alone in the Wizards’ attack with 31 points in just 28 minutes.
“We have to show some more pride. We let the teams run over us. We got our ass kicked two nights in a row and that doesn’t appeal to anyone. It’s hard because I can’t do it for the other boys, just for myself, ”says Beal, assuring that each one must improve their performance on a personal level. The truth is that beyond him there was little to highlight in Washington except that Russell Westbrook stayed very close to the triple-double with 12 points, 11 rebounds and 9 assists.
Much happier they are around Charlotte. Despite having a negative record (11-13) they are seventh in the Eastern Conference; that is, they occupy a playoff spot. Plus, the team’s dynamics are good, enough to have won four of their last six games, including one against Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Milwaukee Bucks.
Step in front of Ball
LaMelo Ball, who a month ago became the youngest player to hit a triple-double in NBA history, continues to show that he is up to the challenge presented to him in his rookie year. In the last 10 games he is averaging 15.9 points and 5.7 assists, good numbers to which he adds an obvious improvement in the outside shot; not in vain has he signed 14 of 28 from the three-point line in the five most recent games. Is he the favorite to be Rookie of the Year?
(Photograph by Jared C. Tilton / Getty Images)