Warriors vs The Gladiators?

I was so used to writing the Wizards’ score as a deficit that when they were ahead by some ten or more points in last night’s game, I had to check myself.

In previous games the high score was always the opposing team, while the low score was that of the Wizards.

But last night, (I said, last night), I could hardly curb my enthusiasm as I sat inside the National Pastime Sports Bar & Grill at the National Harbor watching the Wizards maneuver around the basket, under the basket, and seemingly through the basket, to win over Golden State 124-100.

They played, well kinda like, gladiators. They played with a purpose – as though on a concerted mission.

The Wizards had at least three players with 25 or more points, and outscored Golden State in three quarters to win 124-100 at the Verizon Center.

The Wizards got rebound after rebound, both offensively and defensively, especially under the basket – a task that seemed challenging in previous games.

Andray Blatche gave a superior effort, scoring (25 points), rebounding (twelve total), and getting the ball down court, almost as if he was disputing claims about his loyalty to the game.

Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison continued to be the team’s solid performers, with Butler scoring 35 and Jamison 25 and eleven rebounds.

The team also passed the ball a lot more in last night’s game. Perimeter passing, and getting the open shot were key.

Is it the interim head coach, Ed Tapscott, that made the difference?

Washington has seen the firing of head coaches before. After the Washington Mystics fired their head coach, Tree Rollins, late in the season this year, we saw the Mystics win a game immediately after the Rollins departure.

We saw the same happen last night as Tapscott took over the Wizards’ coaching reigns from former head coach, Eddie Jordan.

“If they can just keep it up for the remaining games, we definitely have a chance for the playoffs”, said one patron at the sports bar.

“Heck, if I knew they were gonna play like this, I would have kept my season tickets”, said another.

I saw Oleksiy Pecherov giving Tapscott a pat on the back at the end of the game as if to say, “Good job, coach”.

We can’t be sure if the Wizards will perform each night out going forward, like they did last night (we’re hopeful) – but one thing is for sure - Wizards fans couldn’t be more proud of the win – and they showed it by giving the home team a standing ovation.

(Photo: Ned Dishman/Wizards)

Box score | Game highlights.

Around the League
It's interested to note that the Wizards actually outscored their playoff rivals, the Cleveland Cavaliers who defeated the New York Knicks, 119-101.

Speaking of the National Harbor
If you haven’t been to the National Harbor just yet to see the Christmas decorations, you should go soon.

There is a huge outdoor tree positioned along the area by ‘The Awakening’ that is about seven trees in one. The tree turns coral green, indigo blue, ruby red, and a lightening yellow, all within minutes, with seemingly flashing lights, and sparkling stars. Great family outing.