For the first time in years the Washington Wizards are fun to watch. It’s in part to the likes of Russell Westbrook and Bradley Beal. Six weeks ago the Wizards was 17-32 and their playoff chances were slim. Last night the Washington Wizards blew out the Indiana Pacers 142-115 to secure the eight seed in the NBA Playoffs.Wizards finished the regular season going 17-6.
Now they will face the Philadelphia 76ers who is top seed in the Eastern Conference Sunday.
The Wizards backcourt duo of Russell Westbrook and Bradley Beal who has put a spark in the Washington’s run. Westbrook has had 18 triple doubles in the last 23 games and Beal has been averaging 31.3 ppg.
Russell Westbrook was acquired in a blockbuster trade before the season for John Wall, averaged a triple-double (22.2 points, 11.2 rebounds, 11.7 assists) for the fourth time in his career and broke Oscar Robertson’s 47-year-old record for triple-doubles earlier this month.
Bradley Beal is Westbrook’s right-hand man, and for part of this season they have workout very well. Beal was on track to get the NBA scoring title before his injury forced him to miss a couple of games down the stretch. Even so he is having a career year averaging 31.3 points on 48 percent from the field.
Beal and Westbrook will need to have a career high in order for Washington to upset the Sixers in the first round of the NBA playoffs. I have to say they have a chance and make it a great series.
Coach Scott Brooks stated, Westbrook delivered a ”very passionate, very direct talk” that essentially amounted to: We will not miss the postseason. It turns out that Westbrook was true to his word. “Russell has an edge, guys, and I think the world should appreciate that.”
Look for the Wizards role players to step up and put the ball in Beal and Westbrook hands.
