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Washington Wizards Take Down Pistons in Preseason Overtime Win
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- Washington Wizards Take Down Pistons in Preseason Overtime Win
(Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images)
The Washington Wizards needed an extra five minutes, but in the end, it was enough to secure its second consecutive preseason win.
Tre Johnson led the way with 15 points after doing his work in the first quarter, while Anthony Davis posted his first double-double in a Wizards uniform after totaling ten points and 11 rebounds. Davis and Johnson were two of four players to finish in double figures scoring.
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After head coach Brian Keefe noted he was trending in the right direction ahead of Saturday, Alex Sarr stepped into the starting lineup to replace Deandre Ayton and make his preseason debut.
With the cheers pouring in during the first introductions for both AJ Dybantsa and Anthony Davis inside Capital One Arena, Saturday night started well for the Washington Wizards with Dybantsa, Young and Davis leading the way.
Yet after Trae Young connected with AJ Dybantsa on a full court pass minutes into the game, it was Dybantsa's turn to set his own teammate up after connecting with Anthony Davis for an alley-oop that put the Wizards ahead, 12-10. It foreshadowed how the rest of the opening quarter went after Young connected with Kyshawn George minutes later for a full court transition layup with George slipping behind a pair of Pistons defenders to put the Wizards ahead, 17-10. Young then went between his legs to pass to a trailing Trae Johnson for a three that gave Washington its first double digit lead of the game. Johnson followed it up with another trailing three, putting the Wizards ahead by 15 in the closing minutes of the opening quarter.
In addition to Tre Johnson knocking down his first four three point attempts, he wasn't alone as Young was already up to eight assists by the end of the first quarter with the Wizards ahead, 40-20.
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The Pistons narrowed the gap through the second quarter, yet the Wizards' offense was able to generate another transition bucket, this time courtesy of Dybantsa. After coming down with a defensive rebound, the rookie initiated the fast break before taking on his defender at the rim, absorbing contact and finishing at the rim to create the and-one opportunity.
Washington's offense slowed through the second quarter as the Pistons eventually cut it to single digits with the Wizards ahead, 56-50, at halftime.
With Keefe opting for the same starting lineup coming out of the break, the second half would feature some of the same choppiness as the first half, a surprising development for a preseason game. It led to both Trae Young and Daniss Jenkins received double technicals and were ejected from the game just four minutes in after the ref cited continued arguments even after the play was blown dead.
One third quarter highlight came midway through after Kyshawn George blocked Ebuka Okorie's shot, then Anthony Davis locked down Isaiah Joe to force a shot clock violation to keep the Wizards ahead by a possession.
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Detroit eventually capitalized on Washington's scoring drought through the second quarter into second half by taking the lead minutes into the fourth quarter, their first since the game was 5-2. Washington would answer with an 8-0 run in the closing minutes of the fourth quarter to retake the lead with Felix Okpara accounting for five points and a highlight block during the span.
With the game tied at 98 with under 12 seconds left, Washington had a chance to pull off the win in regulation coming out of a timeout before Will Riley was stripped, sending the game into overtime. Will Riley would lead the way with five of the team's 18 points, though it would be Justin Champagnie then Chris Livingston to deliver the dagger dunks.
Washington also finished with 27 turnovers on Saturday night, a concerning for a team with multiple ball handlers.
While Justin Champagnie did not appear until the fourth quarter, both Tre Mann and Khris Middleton were inactive.
Washington is set for their second and final preseason game at home when they host the Brooklyn Nets on Monday, Oct. 12 with tipoff set for 7 PM ET.
