Game 26: Washington Wizards (8-17) vs. Chicago Bulls (10-19) - 7:00 PM ET

[Ruzious]

I keep thinking Bertans is going to cool down. And waiting. Incredible shooting display this season.

He's such an odd player because as amazing as he is a shooter, he's got some real issues defensively as there aren't actually that many players he can effectively guard so when he isn't shooting 5 of 6 from 3, he winds up getting exploited pretty badly. I was less than impressed by his defense last night. His shooting, though. Egads! Even though he cooled off and missed a few towards the end of the game, he's an elite shooter who simply makes shots.

He really screwed up fouling Lavine on a 3 with 5.5 seconds left, but he's usually the smartest of our bigs on D - which doesn't take much. One thing that impresses me about Bertans - he sees that he's getting doubled more - and when that happens, he's good at finding the open man and getting the ball to him - something that Beal should have done a lot more of last night.

[closg00]

Oh its a lot of blame to go around.

Beal and IT selfishness at the end.

Bertans stupid 3 point foul. when he should of fouled immediately on inbounds.

Of coarse the Bonga foul.

Brooks being a complete moron as usual.

Hate to say it but the refs were not all that great either. Reminded me of that Sacramento game earlier.

Overall this was just an ugly game to watch that took like forever to finish. Seemed like the ref blew a whistle every other play and were slow to make easy decisions like it was the NBA finals or some ****, it was like just get this over with w or l. This will be soon forgotten by me.

They (wiz) will get destroyed by Toronto and Philly next 2 games.

Brooks made the call to defend the 3 rather than to foul, that's on Brooks

[DCZards]

It was not fun being at there last night and watching the Zards fall apart those last 8 or so minutes.

Brad shot terribly…and played just as bad overall. He has to do better. BB’s 3pt shot has been widely inconsistent this year. He really needs to take a deep breath and let the game come to him rather than forcing things and always thinking he has to be “da man.” (But I still love him. )

Bad coaching or brain fart by Bertans not fouling Lavine before he had a chance to get off a 3 pt shot...when the Zards had a foul to give.

This team is not going to win many games this season…and it’s going to win even fewer with guys like Rui, Wagner, Bryant & McRae not available.

[DCZards]

Oh its a lot of blame to go around.

Beal and IT selfishness at the end.

Bertans stupid 3 point foul. when he should of fouled immediately on inbounds.

Of coarse the Bonga foul.

Brooks being a complete moron as usual.

Hate to say it but the refs were not all that great either. Reminded me of that Sacramento game earlier.

Overall this was just an ugly game to watch that took like forever to finish. Seemed like the ref blew a whistle every other play and were slow to make easy decisions like it was the NBA finals or some ****, it was like just get this over with w or l. This will be soon forgotten by me.

They (wiz) will get destroyed by Toronto and Philly next 2 games.

Brooks made the call to defend the 3 rather than to foul, that's on Brooks

Are you sure about that? I know Brooks said he put Bonga in and took Ian out to defend against the 3 with .05 sec. left but I haven't heard him say anything about that previous possession.

[TheBabyMaker]

Oh its a lot of blame to go around.

Beal and IT selfishness at the end.

Bertans stupid 3 point foul. when he should of fouled immediately on inbounds.

Of coarse the Bonga foul.

Brooks being a complete moron as usual.

Hate to say it but the refs were not all that great either. Reminded me of that Sacramento game earlier.

Overall this was just an ugly game to watch that took like forever to finish. Seemed like the ref blew a whistle every other play and were slow to make easy decisions like it was the NBA finals or some ****, it was like just get this over with w or l. This will be soon forgotten by me.

They (wiz) will get destroyed by Toronto and Philly next 2 games.

Brooks made the call to defend the 3 rather than to foul, that's on Brooks

Well Brooks is not that great of a Coach he showed that in his OKC days. Me personally would lose playing time because Zack would not have not got that shot off without being fouled first (non flagrant) if I had to guard him. But I guess its easier said than done from sitting on my couch.

[closg00]

Oh its a lot of blame to go around.

Beal and IT selfishness at the end.

Bertans stupid 3 point foul. when he should of fouled immediately on inbounds.

Of coarse the Bonga foul.

Brooks being a complete moron as usual.

Hate to say it but the refs were not all that great either. Reminded me of that Sacramento game earlier.

Overall this was just an ugly game to watch that took like forever to finish. Seemed like the ref blew a whistle every other play and were slow to make easy decisions like it was the NBA finals or some ****, it was like just get this over with w or l. This will be soon forgotten by me.

They (wiz) will get destroyed by Toronto and Philly next 2 games.

Brooks made the call to defend the 3 rather than to foul, that's on Brooks

Are you sure about that? I know Brooks said he put Bonga in and took Ian out to defend against the 3 with .05 sec. left but I haven't heard him say anything about that previous possession.

They didn't try to foul after the inbounds and instead defended, so it was obvious what the coaching call was there

[pancakes3]

i blame it on Brooks's ugly af brown suit he was wearing last night. and IT.

[payitforward]

I didn't even think Bonga fouled, btw -- he has as much right to the ball as the opponent does.

[closg00]

I didn't even think Bonga fouled, btw -- he has as much right to the ball as the opponent does.

Female ref *runs ducking*

[TheBabyMaker]

Markkanen is having a dreadful season, so I am sure he's going to have a breakout performance against a team that won't challenge him physically.

I don't see this Wizards team overcome their lack of frontcourt depth.

Good call.

[I_Like_Dirt]

He really screwed up fouling Lavine on a 3 with 5.5 seconds left, but he's usually the smartest of our bigs on D - which doesn't take much. One thing that impresses me about Bertans - he sees that he's getting doubled more - and when that happens, he's good at finding the open man and getting the ball to him - something that Beal should have done a lot more of last night.

In Beal's defense, he isn't as tall so the passing lanes aren't there as much but he does have a better handle and can shift position a little easier which often results in him having a chance to get shots off that nobody else on the team would get. Beal struggles a bit because a lot of the other guys on the roster aren't very good with offensive positioning, though Bertans is definitely not one of those players and helps a lot there and is a major boost because not only is he in position but he's good at presenting himself in a manner that makes the pass easier.

[Ruzious]

I didn't even think Bonga fouled, btw -- he has as much right to the ball as the opponent does.

Female ref *runs ducking*

Put it this way - she is no Violet Palmer. It was an absurd call. She was looking right at it and somehow didn't see Bonga getting pushed before he made contact with Lavine. But apart from that, officials NEVER call something like that a foul at the end of close games. It's gotta be blatant to call in those situations. See IT clearly holding onto Lavine's arm as Lavine is shooting and IT not getting called for a foul near the end of OT. Ban blonds from reffing (j/k).

[payitforward]

True....

Yet, in a sense, none of the comments about the last few moments of the game are all that relevant. We had an 18 point lead well into the 4th quarter. Against a team that isn't any good. Leave the bench in & lull Chicago to sleep.

[DCZards]

True....

Yet, in a sense, none of the comments about the last few moments of the game are all that relevant. We had an 18 point lead well into the 4th quarter. Against a team that isn't any good. Leave the bench in & lull Chicago to sleep.

Brooks tried to keep the bench in. But he couldn't.

Here's what I recall: Zards were up 17-18 pts with about 8 mins left in the 4th quarter and the bench playing well. Then the Bulls went on a quick run to cut the lead to either 10 or 12. Brooks was forced at that point to put the starters back in...but the momentum had flipped and the Bulls continued their run to tie the game in regulation.

[payitforward]

Yes, I recall that pattern of events. &, of course I can understand the move.

The frustration comes from Brad's latest stretch of "hero ball." Is he being coached to play this way, or... what?

[dobrojim]

Anytime a game goes to OT I always look back at simple/stupid things we could have
done right or that you would hope wouldn't be a normal occurrence.
We missed 2 dunks and had a lane violation. Obviously it was a horrible
collapse in the 4th Q but there are 5 points we should have had but did not.
4 points for us that shoulda been and one for them that shouldn't have been.
Speaking of the lane violation, it seems to me when I'm watching
(my TV is very good LG OLED TV which I love) players' toes appear
to me to literally always be over the line. It's a cliche that they could
make that call every time but lately it's seemed more true than ever.

Re the team - definitely more interesting than I expected before the season.
On track to be pretty close to my 25 (or was it 24?) win prediction.
Also well positioned to get what will hopefully be a blue chip prospect.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

i blame it on Brooks's ugly af brown suit he was wearing last night. and IT.

This guy's rolling over in his grave, offended by the lack of style points by Scott Brooks.




pancakes, you might be on to something concerning natty attire as it relates to coaching acumen.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/653494-nba-power-rankings-phil-jackson-pat-riley-and-the-10-best-head-coaches-ever#slide10

Chuck Daly looked like a Goodfella. If you didn't do what he said, you might get whacked.