In standard Wizards fashion, they blew a big lead Tuesday night. However, they built another one and held onto it to dispatch the New Orleans Pelicans. On to three points from the evening:
Mike Scott keeps it coming. Scott’s one-legged runner to beat the shot clock in the fourth quarter had him laughing when he went back up the floor. It wasn’t the oddity of the approach that made Scott smile. Rather, it was DeMarcus Cousins’ comment the possession before that Scott’s isolation game was “weak” which inspired the smile for the usually stoic Scott. He finished with 24 points on 11-for-15 from the field after a 6-for-7 first half. Since starting December 1-for-11 from the field, Scott is 53-for-72 (73.6 percent). “I call him, ’Mr. Efficient,’” Bradley Beal said. “That’s his name. He always tell me, ’I only had one assist.’ I said, ’That’s the best stat that you’ve got on there in the box score. We don’t need you to pass, we need you to shoot the ball.” His 24 points were the most since he had 26 points April 4, 2014 against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
No defense, no results for New Orleans. The Pelicans entered the game second in points per game in December. That’s not surprising with DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis averaging 51 points combined per game. However, the Pelicans can’t stop anyone. Their defense Tuesday was atrocious. The Wizards shot 50 percent from the field and 40 percent from behind the 3-point line. Cousins, in particular, plays little to no defense. One of the most telling stats about New Orleans’ defensive effort Tuesday night: It had one block. That came from point guard, Jrue Holiday. The Pelicans are now 15-16 in the loaded Western Conference. This construction, despite the offensive numbers, is not working — it basically neuters Holiday — which will make the arrival of the trade deadline fascinating in New Orleans for the second consecutive season.
Boogie Cousins is always an experience. Tuesday morning, Cousins played cards on the middle of the Wizards’ court with a couple teammates. Tuesday night, he was the expected load offensively: 26 points, 13 rebounds and four assists. Cousins was called for two fouls, both of which he disagreed with. He constantly didn’t run back, one time being beaten up the floor badly by Marcin Gortat who dunked an alley-oop. His lack of defense caused glares from Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry. After the game, Cousins was asked if he had thought about playing with former college teammate and pal John Wall. “It’s not on my mind at all,” Cousins said. Later, when Wall was talking to the media in the Wizards’ locker room, Wall was asked if Cousins normally talks a lot of trash. He laughed, then said Cousins probably talks the “most junk” in the league. About 30 seconds after Wall’s comment, Cousins showed up in the doorway of the Wizards’ locker room with his arm around one of the staffers and tried to get Wall’s attention. “Pssssssst!” Cousins said from about 15 feet away. Wall giggled, then they made plans to catch up later.
• Todd Dybas can be reached at tdybas@washingtontimes.com.
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