The Wizards Close 2022 Out Strong

Wizards Second Half Dominance Make Short Handed Magic Disappear

Candi Waller | Dec 31, 2022

The Wizards Close 2022 Out Strong /

In this story:

After a dismal December, the Wizards are now on a four-game winning streak. The Wizards have now beat the Sacramento Kings, swept the Phoenix Suns, and rose to the occasion of the dominant Philadelphia 76ers and Joel Embiid.

The latest team the Wizards have taken down is the Orlando Magic. To be fair, the Orlando Magic was short-handed due to the suspensions that came down after the team’s brawl with the Detroit Pistons Wednesday night. This point, however, makes it clear that the Wizards came in and did what they were supposed to do against a less experienced Magic team.

The Wizards have historically had success over the Magic now winning 26 of the last 36 games since the 2013-2014 season. Washington has now won six consecutive games over Orlando. All Wizards starters scored in double figures for the fourth time this season with seven total players scoring 10+ points for the Wizards. Washington outrebounded Orlando 53 to 35 and out-assisted Orlando 33 to 24.

Wizards center Kristaps Porzingis continues his sensational season tallying a game high 30 points, 13 rebounds, four blocks, two assists, and one steal for his 12th double-double of the season. Porzingis has now scored 30+ points in six games this season. Additionally, Porzingis has now totaled 20 games with at least 1+ block and 1+ steal this season, the most in the NBA.

Wizards forward Rui Hachimura netted 16 points and seven rebounds. Hachimura has now scored in double figures in 17-of-21 appearances from off the bench this season. Additionally, Hachimura has now scored 10+ in four consecutive games from off the bench.

Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma scored 23 points, grabbed five rebounds and dished out six assists. Kuzma has now scored 20+ points in 24 games this season, the most in his career through his first 36 games played in a single season. Kuzma has now connected on 4+ three-pointers in 10 games this season, the most in his career through 37 games in a season.

Wizards guard Monte Morris scored 12 points, a game-high 10 assists and three rebounds for his first double-double this season and the second of his career.

Published Dec 31, 2022

CANDI WALLER

Candi Waller also known as "CWall" is the Founder and CEO of CWall® Sports & Entertainment, President of the CWall Foundation, Inc, the Managing Publisher of the Fan Nation Inside the Wizards site, and President of Bowie Television. A native of Gorgeous Prince George's County, Maryland, Candi has been an authentic lover of all sports since her childhood. She was such a sports fan at an early age that she notes one of her favorite childhood shows as the legendary "George Michael Sports Machine". Candi holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Hampton University, Master of Arts in Human Resource Development from The George Washington University and a certificate in Sports Industry Essentials from Columbia University. Prior to and during her work in the sports industry, Candi has established her identity as a results-driven, relationship building advocate and professional with extensive years of experience leading and implementing successful strategic change, communications, and stakeholder engagement programs across geographically dispersed organizations. She’s worked across Big Four and Government Trusted Advisor consulting firms such as IBM, Deloitte, and the MITRE Corporation. She is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, Women in Sports & Events (WISE), the National Press Club (NPC), the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), the Prince George’s County Chamber of Commerce and is an ambassador for the National Museum of African American History and Culture. In terms of what she likes to do for fun, that’s just it…anything that is considered fun, she’s all for it! She’s very close to her parents, brother, and sister, and has a host of nieces, nephews, and godchildren.