Before big trip, Wizards host Nets
WASHINGTON -- The Washington Wizards are gearing up for a brutal five-game road trip, not to mention the playoffs. Overlooking the cellar-dwelling Nets would be easy, though Brooklyn is the one entering Friday's season-series finale with an actual winning streak.
After surviving what John Wall deemed a "nasty" first half filled with turnovers and other miscues, the Wizards rallied past the short-handed Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday for a 104-100 win. The victory came after Washington (43-28) dropped two in a row and four of five.
Bradley Beal scored 28 points, and Wall had all 22 of his points in the second half. Washington's post-All-Star-break funk remained until a 19-6 fourth-quarter run moved the Wizards in front for good.
"I think that's what we've been missing, missing our swag. Just our energy, our fun of the game," Beal said. "Everything is just so tense. We just need to relax and have fun playing the game."
Brooklyn's bench helped turn a slow start Thursday against Phoenix into a 126-96 rout over the Suns. The Nets (15-56) have won two in a row for their first winning streak of the season.
Washington is 3-0 against Brooklyn this season, but needed overtime in the previous meeting for a 114-110 win on Feb. 8.
After hosting the Nets, the Wizards open their road trip Saturday against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Eastern Conference playoff race, something the Nets were never a part of, remains tense. Washington, current occupant of the three seed, enters Friday a half-game ahead of Toronto. The Raptors handled the Miami Heat 101-84 on Thursday.
While Beal and Wall helped put the Hawks away, the Wizards' second unit provided needed energy and production throughout. That hasn't happened for most of the season, but Washington revamped its bench with the trade-deadline acquisition of 3-point threat Bojan Bogdanovic from Brooklyn and free-agent guard Brandon Jennings.
Bogdanovic has shot 42 percent from beyond the arc in 16 games with Washington. Jennings, who serves as Wall's primary backup, had six assists in 14 minutes against the Hawks.
"With Brandon, he comes in and the pace is still in full throttle, and that's what we want," Wizards coach Scott Brooks said. "With John playing the 34-36 minutes, Brandon can come in there and keep the pace going, and I think that helps us. ... He started off struggling shooting, but he's working on it and I think he has turned the corner offensively."
After trailing 32-22 following the first quarter Thursday, the Nets outscored the Suns 62-33 over the next two periods. Six reserves scored in double figures, including KJ McDaniels with 16 points. Ex-Wizard Trevor Booker had 14.
"I thought our bench was just so big tonight," said center Brook Lopez, who led Brooklyn with 19 points. "They came in and played superb and got us back in the game. I think they were the difference maker tonight."
Brooklyn spent this season searching for difference makers or pieces worthy of long-term plans. McDaniels, Archie Goodwin and Spencer Dinwiddie are among the young players the Nets are taking a longer look at.
"I think we are building and we are improving," Nets coach Kenny Atkinson said. "I mean we obviously have a long, long way to go. ... It is nice to see some of the young guys who we brought in (do well). KJ McDaniels, I thought, was really good tonight, Archie (Goodwin) again off the bench and Spencer (Dinwiddie). You know that second unit again was excellent. So some real positive signs coming out of this."
