Watch Abdia’s points in the video player above>
After 14 consecutive games, Danny Abdia is back to scoring in double digits. Despite this, Abdia’s awakening was not enough for Washington who lost tonight (Tuesday-Wednesday) 125: 111 to Memphis. The Israeli rookie forgot the seven-minute game against Boston, and in 26 minutes he recorded 10 points (4 of 7 from the field, 2 of 4 from three), 7 rebounds, an assist and a plus-minus index of 6+ (the second highest in the team).
The Grizzlies may not have two proven superstars like the Wizards have, but they have a younger, hungrier and mostly more coached bunch, led by rookie last season Ja Morant. In the previous game in which Memphis defeated Houston by 49 points away, Morant allowed himself to “rest” with just 6 points. Tonight he had already taken matters into his own hands and with 35 points and 10 assists swept the Bears to an impressive victory.
While Morant juggled on the floor in the United States capital, the Washington star recorded one of his weakest games this season. Bradley Bill was stopped on just 23 points (44% from the field), and at no stage of the tackle did he appear to be able to get his team out of the pit, after trailing by 23 points at the peak. Bill ended the game with a plus-minus index of 25.
Final.
Westbrook 23p-6r-15a-3s
Beal 23p-6r-5a
Lopez 14p#WizGrizz | @GEICO pic.twitter.com/L7I55jxjnZ– Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) March 3, 2021
Russell Westbrook, who finished with 23 points, 15 assists and 6 rebounds, opened the fight with a storm with 9 points and 6 assists in the first quarter, including one in All-Hop for Abdia. Memphis also started the game well and led 33:35 after 12 minutes. The turning point came in the middle of the second quarter when the scoreboard showed 44:48 to Washington.
From that stage the visitors went for a 6:27 run, which gave them a promising 17-point lead before the half-time break. The team from the capital recorded a quick 0: 6 run at the start of the second half that reduced the difference to one digit, but from then until the end every time they looked at the board – they saw a double digit difference.
In the final quarter Washington tried to show signs of life, Abdia sniped two straight threes, but Morant and the Grizzlies returned fire whenever the gap closed to him. If one has to put the finger on one parameter that made the difference, it is the losses. Washington lost twice as much as Memphis (22 vs. 11), and Memphis knew how to translate that into 32 points from ball losses. Westbrook, by the way, recorded eight turnovers when seven came in the first half (comparing a negative record in a career of turnovers in the half).
Morant received assistance from Dillon Brooks and Dianthoni Melton who shot 20 points each, and also from Lithuanian chin Jonas Valanchonas who recorded a typical double-double of 11 points and 16 rebounds. 100% from the field and Davis Bartans added 11. Between Thursday and Friday: Washington’s last game before the All-Star break, against the Los Angeles Clippers at home.
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