Jazz Rout Wizards for Fifth Consecutive Win

By: Yusuf House 

WASHINGTON DC – Utah was too much for the Wizards as they routed them in front of their home crowd. It was a clash between the two current reigning NBA players of the week, with Gobbert and Beal each player of the week recipients for their respective conferences. Gobbert turned in a double-double pulling in 14 boards and scoring 14 points, going 6-6 from the field. While Beal finished with 15 points on 4 of 12 shooting including 0 of 3 from 3 pointrange. This was only the third time this season that Beal failed to make a three pointer. Following the game Beal stated “They face guarded me the whole game…You know I’m not going to score 40 points every night, everybody knows that. I’m not Superman”

Utah began the game with balanced scoring and solid interior defense which gave them a 12 point halftime lead. The Jazz’s defensive efforts were anchored by Rudy Gobbert who caused the Wizards to struggle to find a consistent offensive rhythm. Trevor Ariza the paced the Wizards scoring 10 of the teams first 14 points. While Jabari Parker scored 10 for the Wizards in the second quarter to keep them within striking distance. The Jazz shot 53% from the field in the first half and were led by Joe Ingles who went 3 for 7 from 3 including 2 big three pointers to end the first quarter.

The Jazz went up by 20 points by the end of the third quarter essentially putting the game out of reach. Utah shot 60% from the field and 62% from 3 point in the third while outrebounding the Wizards 12 to 5. The Wizards had no answer for Jae Crowder’s as he shot 100% from the field including 2 of 2 from beyond the arch to finish with 10 points in the third.  Crowder finished with 18 points and 5 boards and was a pivotal player for the Jazz. 

In tonight’s matchup the Jazz and Wizards were both fighting for playoff contention. As the Wizards entered tonight’s game 3.5 games behind the Heat for the 8th seed in the eastern conference while the Jazz were trying to keep the 7th seed in the western conference. Utah’s rugged defense slowed down Bradley Beal who was one of the hottest players in the entire NBA. Entering tonight’s game Bradley Beal was coming off consecutive 40-point games over the weekend, making 16 3-pointers in two games. 

Notes:

The Jazz have won six in a row against the Wizards, sweeping the last two season series. Washington plays Utah again next Friday night in Salt Lake City.

Whats Next:

Utah plays the Knicks in New York this Wednesday.

Wizards travel to Chicago to face the Bulls this Wednesday.