Washington traveled tonight (Friday to Saturday) in Florida for its fourth win in a row, 100:119 against Orlando’s missing squad, while Danny Avdia provided a good and efficient performance. Avdia played 28 minutes and finished with 13 points (5 of 8 from the field, 2 of 5 from three, 1 of 1 from the penalty), 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, a block, three turnovers and five fouls.
Despite the absence of Bradley Beal (hamstring pain), the team from the capital of the United States received an opponent by invitation, who came to compete after the storm in Detroit, in which an incident broke out between the Pistons and the Magic following Killian Hayes’ dangerous punch to Lemo Wagner. The German big man was removed, as well as Cole Anthony, Mo Bamba, Wendell Carter Jr., Gary Harris and RJ Hampton, and the Wizards knew how to take advantage of it.
Avdia came off the bench for the third time in a row and immediately gave an output. The Israeli scored 8 quick points without fouling, blocked the first choice Paolo Bancro and the guest led 20:27 after 12 minutes. Avdia played 15 consecutive minutes during which he did not add points to his balance, the Magic recorded a run of 0:14, but Kristaps Porzingis led the Wizards to 47:56 at the break thanks to his 20 points.
In the third quarter Avdia scored one basket that brought it to double digits, while Orlando fell apart and found itself trailing 98:73 heading into the last quarter. The young forward continued to do a little bit of everything and in the final minutes nailed his second three-pointer of the match (10 consecutive games with at least one three-pointer). Washington had a negative record this season with 26 turnovers (the previous one was 19), but that didn’t stop them from getting to a 21:16 record. The locals dropped to 24:13.
Porzingis starred with 30 points (9 of 13 from the field), 13 rebounds and 4 blocks, Kyle Kuzma added 23, Roy Hachimura 16 and Monte Morris 12 along with 10 assists. On the other side, Franz Wagner scored 28 along with 8 assists, Paolo Bancro 21 and Bol Bol 10 with 9 rebounds. Between Sunday and Monday: Avdia and his friends open 2023 with Milwaukee and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
4 consecutive dubs? what a magical way to end 2022 ✨#DCAboveAll | @Ticketmaster pic.twitter.com/xT3Xvse2Bk
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) December 31, 2022