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Wizards, led by unlikely trio, close out 2010s with improbable win against Heat

Wizards, led by unlikely trio, close out 2010s with improbable win against Heat

WASHINGTON - Jordan McRae didn't like where the question was going. His Washington Wizards had rolled past one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference on Monday night, and they had celebrated - both the healthy and injured guys - by giving rookie Garrison Mathews an early shower, dousing him with water in the locker room.

So when a reporter started a question by describing the Wizards as "down," McRae squinted and made a face. The events of the night wouldn't allow him to wallow in the misery that has been the 2019-20 season. After this improbable 123-105 victory over the Miami Heat, McRae and the Wizards felt buoyant.

Washington Wizards guard Jordan McRae screams after hitting a three-pointer late in the second half against the Miami Heat on Monday, Dec. 30, 2019. He scored 29 points to help the Washington Wizards beat the Miami Heat 123-105. MUST CREDIT: Washington Post photo by Katherine Frey

"It's a good win for us," McRae said. "For us to get a win like that over a really, really, really good Miami Heat team, that builds everybody's confidence."

Washington Wizards center Ian Mahinmi dunks on Miami Heat guard Goran Dragic on Monday, Dec. 30, 2019. MUST CREDIT: Washington Post photo by Katherine Frey

Although seven players were inactive Monday night, the Wizards led a healthy Heat squad by as many as 20 points before comfortably winning by 18. And the point differential doesn't begin to tell the story of Washington's wildest win of the year.

The Wizards' trio of Ian Mahinmi, McRae and Mathews played as perhaps the least likely Big Three in NBA history. Mahinmi made his first seven shots and scored a career-high 25 points. Mathews poured in 28 points - including a remarkable 20 in the second quarter - on 6-for-9 shooting overall and 4-for-7 shooting from beyond the three-point arc, by far the best night of his young professional career. McRae finished with a season-high 29 points, shooting 6 for 8 from beyond the arc, and eight assists, a career high.

"A lot of guys [came through with] spectacular play," Wizards Coach Scott Brooks said. "Ian did a great job [on] both ends of the floor. Garrison coming in and playing aggressive and being confident.

"Then Jordan," Brooks continued. "Jordan's a scorer who can come in and get buckets. I thought everybody chipped in."

Mahinmi started at center, but Mathews and McRae powered a second unit that scored a franchise-record 80 points off the bench. And although Miami (24-9) had a robust team led by Jimmy Butler, who finished with 27 points, and a large contingent of fans who periodically started "Let's go, Heat!" chants at Capital One Arena, the Wizards (10-22) closed the decade with three unsung players celebrating career highs and the team finally reaching double digits in the win column.

"This is part of building character," Mahinmi said. "When you're down and you have a lot of injuries and a lot of stuff not going your way, having the toughness as a young player to come out and step up and make good plays . . . is huge. I think all of our young guys are taking tremendous advantage of their opportunities."

The 2010s for the Wizards have been filled with more groans than gains. Under former team president Ernie Grunfeld, who spent most of the decade in charge before being fired in April, the Wizards amassed a .438 winning percentage (353 wins, 453 losses). 

There have been positive moments. Paul Pierce called "Game!" in 2015. John Wall (drafted No. 1 in 2010) saved the season in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference semifinals in 2017. And Bradley Beal (taken third overall in 2012) rewrote the franchise record books last season.

But as 2019 comes to its conclusion, the franchise's two biggest stars were unavailable: Wall is nearing a full year away rehabilitating his Achilles', and Beal missed his second straight game with soreness around his right knee.

In their place, understudies stepped in surprisingly well.

"Obviously, we are missing a ton with a ton of injuries, and a lot of offense, and it was time for somebody to step up," Mathews said. "Jordan McRae played great, and Ian played great. Once I saw the first [shot] go down, I was just fortunate a few other ones fell."

Mahinmi, a defensive-minded center who had never reached 20 points in a game in his three-plus years with the Wizards, could not be stopped in the paint. Mathews, a rookie without an official player profile on a popular fantasy basketball website, introduced himself to the masses during a career night. And McRae channeled the forces of both Wall and Beal, working as a facilitator and a scorer.

While the Heat ripped through Washington's defense in the opening quarter, Mahinmi returned the favor. Cutting to the rim and finishing an array of layups, Mahinmi scored 14 points through his first nine minutes of action.

Despite Mahinmi's production, Washington still lagged behind the Heat, 39-29, after one quarter. Mathews, however, carried the Wizards to halftime while accounting for much of the team's blazing 42-point second quarter.

As McRae found equilibrium by making four shots and setting up teammates for three assists in the quarter, Mathews scored. He fearlessly launched quick-trigger threes, hitting four attempts. With his catch-and-shoot three off a McRae pass with 5:15 left in the half, Mathews pulled the Wizards ahead for the first time in the game. 

The sudden burst by Mathews, listed as "Unknown Player" on ESPN's fantasy basketball app, helped the Wizards take command and build a 71-63 halftime advantage. They remained in control for the rest of the game, providing one last highlight for the 2010s.

"A lot of stuff is not going our way," Mahinmi said. "But I'm very proud of what everybody is doing."

 

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