The extra-sporting and sporting problems of the Nets, Lakers, Warriors or even the Sixers and Spurs overshadow many formations, including the Wizards. The capital’s franchise has a balanced record (4v-4d), and all eyes are on the first steps of the Beal-Porzingis tandem. The first had missed the end of last season, and he discovers his new teammate.
Wednesday in Philadelphia, the two gave a glimpse of their complementarity and their effectiveness by combining 59 points. Bradley Beal finished on 29 points on 65% shooting, with 5 assists and 2 rebounds, while Kristaps Porzingis adds 30 points, 9 rebounds and 3 blocks with a perfect 11 of 11 in free throws.
“We will become a duo to watch”
“He has the ability to spread the game and shoot at an incredibly high level” stresses Beal about the Latvian. “Teams have to make a choice. If a big change on me, I can walk past him and shoot however I want. And if a little one is on top of him, he can literally stand on top of him and shoot. Doctor [Rivers] said, we’re going to be a duo to watch. »
As Beal explains, Porzingis has this ability to shoot over the arms of his defender, and Tyrese Maxey can attest to that. “I insist, there are times when he just puts the ball above his head, and he shoots! So you have to prevent him from having the ball, try to make sure that they don’t give him the ball. It’s easier said than done, but you have to be physical with him, and try to get him out of the circle. »
“He usually takes so much attention away from me”
In the last five games, Porzingis has exceeded 20 points four times, and he even remains on two games in a row at 30 points and more. With 21 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 2.3 assists on average, he found his best level, and he thanks Beal for this found freedom in attack. “I love playing with him. He usually takes so much attention away from me” likes Porzingis. “When he gets in, the inside has to help, otherwise it’s a layup. »
For Beal, one thing is clear, this is just the beginning! “We’re just picking up momentum, and we’re going together”Beal said of the duo. “Our automatisms are improving, he has had two good games in a row, it just has to continue. »
Next opponent: Brooklyn, who arrives in Washington without Kyrie Irving.
| Shots | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Players | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | bp | Int | CT | party | Points |
| Bradley Beal | 8 | 35.8 | 52.8 | 32.4 | 91.2 | 0.8 | 2.9 | 3.6 | 6.0 | 3.0 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 2.1 | 21.8 |
| Kristaps Porzingis | 8 | 31.5 | 52.2 | 36.6 | 86.8 | 2.5 | 6.0 | 8.5 | 2.3 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 1.3 | 3.5 | 21.0 |
| Kyle Kuzma | 8 | 32.9 | 45.9 | 34.9 | 79.3 | 0.8 | 6.6 | 7.4 | 2.3 | 1.8 | 0.3 | 0.8 | 3.4 | 17.3 |
| Rui Hachimura | 8 | 24.2 | 45.5 | 25.0 | 77.8 | 1.3 | 4.5 | 5.8 | 1.3 | 1.5 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 1.0 | 11.0 |
| Will Barton | 8 | 24.5 | 43.1 | 42.9 | 88.9 | 0.4 | 2.4 | 2.8 | 2.3 | 1.3 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 1.6 | 9.5 |
| Monte Morris | 8 | 27.7 | 41.3 | 36.4 | 73.3 | 0.4 | 3.6 | 4.0 | 5.6 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 1.3 | 8.9 |
| Delon Wright | 4 | 22.7 | 41.7 | 25.0 | 60.0 | 1.0 | 1.5 | 2.5 | 3.3 | 1.0 | 2.8 | 1.0 | 1.3 | 6.5 |
| Daniel Gafford | 8 | 14.4 | 65.5 | 0.0 | 57.1 | 1.4 | 1.8 | 3.1 | 0.4 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 0.9 | 1.6 | 5.8 |
| Deni Avdija | 8 | 18.6 | 40.6 | 38.5 | 80.0 | 0.3 | 3.6 | 3.9 | 1.3 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.9 | 3.0 | 4.9 |
| Anthony Gill | 8 | 13.5 | 53.8 | 22.2 | 100.0 | 0.8 | 1.4 | 2.1 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 1.4 | 4.3 |
| Jordan Goodwin | 2 | 10.3 | 80.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 2.0 | 2.5 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 4.0 |
| Taj Gibson | 3 | 3.6 | 60.0 | 33.3 | 100.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 3.0 |
| Jordan Schakel | 2 | 3.1 | 50.0 | 100.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 1.5 |
| Johnny Davis | 4 | 5.7 | 28.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.5 | 1.0 |
| Isaiah Todd | 3 | 2.9 | 33.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.7 |
| Vernon Carey, Jr. | 1 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
