If this match was not a peak of the game, at least there was suspense. Bilal Coulibaly, Alex Sarr and the Wizards take control at the end of the first quarter, with an 11-2 and a certain merit: they do not lose balls, unlike the Hornets (34-29). The capital’s players hit the nail on the head in the second act, notably with two award-winning baskets in Sarr’s corner and a very present Coulibaly.
Washington shows seriousness in defense and takes a twenty-point lead against a team that only counts on LaMelo Ball’s 3-pointers, always in the same place on the floor, to exist (68-54).
After the break, the Hornets star approaches the circle. Bilal Coulibaly is in charge of Washington’s attack, but the Frenchman is clumsy. Which does not yet affect the Wizards’ lead after 36 minutes (96-87).
On the other hand, it begins to melt at the start of the last quarter against the 3-point baskets of the Hornets, including those of Tidjane Salaün. We then go on for several rather indigestible minutes, without a basket or any action of our own, before entering “money time”.
Charlotte had negotiated this turn better but with a sharp Bilal Coulibaly, the Wizards passed 7-0. Alex Sarr even scores on an offensive rebound to give his team a point in the very last seconds. But the Hornets respond again.
Finally, it’s Jordan Poole, although uninspired in this part, who makes the difference with a 3-pt that’s not easy, but it fits. Charlotte’s last attempts fail and Washington escapes (113-110).
WHAT TO REMEMBER
– The French managed to show themselves. Bilal Coulibaly and Alex Sarr weighed in on this meeting. The first by being offensive with 20 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. He did not hesitate to try his luck, with more or less success (6/16 on the shoot). The second started well and we saw less of him in the second half, until his important basket in the last seconds. The interior still finished with 15 points and 3 blocks. Finally, Tidjane Salaün was absent from the radar for more than 35 minutes, before scoring two 3-point shots, including one with the board. Moussa Diabaté was only allowed five minutes, still enough time to grab three rebounds.
– Jordan Poole emerges victorious from the duel with LaMelo Ball. In a match at the bottom of the table, the two players, already greedy in general, logically lit up everywhere. The Hornets leader took 27 shots, including a quantity of poor quality, to finish with 31 points at 12/27 shooting and 4/13 at 3-pts. The 2022 champion scored 25 points at 7/19 on the shoot and 5/15 on 3-pts. Clumsy, he saves his meeting with his decisive shot.
– The Wizards only beat the Hornets… It’s a sixth defeat in a row for the Hornets, when the Wizards manage to secure a second success in the last three weeks. And this second victory is again against Charlotte, a week after the last.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
