The Washington Wizards and Danny Abdia achieved a big 122: 123 away win over the Brooklyn Nets tonight (Sunday through Monday) and went up to a 5: 2 balance. Brooklyn, which went down to a 4-3 balance, missed a chance to win at the last second, after Kevin Durant missed with a buzzer shot for two.
Abdia, who marked his 20th birthday, recorded his weakest game of the season so far. The Israeli scored only 3 points (1/4 from the field), and added one rebound, one assist, one steal and one block (on Kyrie Irving). Coach Scott Brooks gave Abdia only 16 minutes, and did not let the Israeli play from the middle of the third quarter.
After a close first quarter (28:29), the visitors, who got back Russell Westbrook (24 points and 10 assists on only 28% from the field) who rested in the weekend victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves, opened the quarter well the second and a 0:11 run set She has a 28:40 advantage. The Nets recovered, led by superstars Irving (double-double of 30 points and 10 assists) and Durant (28 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists) came back and finished the half with a minimal lead, 70:71.
The close game continued in the third quarter, with the advantage shifting from team to team and at the end of the quarter the two went down with Washington leading with a minimal advantage, 90:91.
The thriller culminated in the final seconds of the game. 20 seconds to go Thomas Bryant, who continued his good season opener (double-double of 21 points and 14 rebounds), picked up an offensive rebound after Bradley Bill’s foul (27 points and 10 rebounds), and at the end of the second offense scored two points that netted Washington Advantage 122: 123, 15 seconds to go.
The Nets went out for a final offense, Irving went up for a three and missed, but Timothy Lowe-Grave took an offensive rebound. The Frenchman left the ball to Durant, but the latter missed 1.5 to finish, Bryant picked up a rebound and Washington recorded a second straight win. This is the second time this season already that Durant – who actually records a wonderful season opener after a year of absence – misses in the final seconds, after missing last week in a loss to Charlotte Hornets, 106: 104.
Washington’s next game will be on the night between Wednesday and Thursday (02:00 Israel time) against Philadelphia ’76 away.