SPORTS INSIDER – Wizards top Cavaliers for third straight win; Nene sidelined six weeks
February 24, 2014
Ceci Ferrara
Sports Writer
Sports Insider
UPDATE: February 25, 2014
Maryland’s Rally Falls Short in 57-55 Loss to Syracuse
Heading into Monday night’s game, both Maryland and Syracuse were hungry for a win. Maryland was trying to string together a pair of wins – their first this month – while Syracuse was desperate to avoid a pair of losses. In the end, the Orange was able to hold off UMD for a 57-55 victory on Monday night.
But the underdog Terps didn’t roll over for No. 4 Syracuse. They kept the game close throughout, trailing by just eight points at the half. Down by 12 points with under 6 minutes left, Maryland rallied to cut the deficit to a single point late in the second period. Unfortunately, Nick Faust’s blocked layup kept the Terps from pulling even. Syracuse’s Trevor Cooney quickly fouled and made one of two free throws in the final seconds to put the Orange ahead for good.
It was a disappointing loss for Maryland, which has now lost four of its last six and fall to 15-13 on the season.
Wizards
The Wizards continued their post All-Star break win streak with a 96-83 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers Sunday night. It was their third straight win, which placed them back at .500 for the season. They remain second in their division and fifth in the Eastern conference standings.
On paper, it should have been an easy win for Washington. At 22-35, the Cavaliers are second to last in the Central Division. But Cleveland had been on a hot streak in recent weeks, winning six straight before hitting a skid against the Raptors. On Sunday night, they gave the Wizards a run for their money.
After scoring 58 points in the first half, Washington’s offense slowed down in the third quarter to give the Cavs an opening. Trailing 52-58 at half-time, Cleveland stepped it up in the third quarter. They were able to pull within one point several times, but never quite pulled ahead.
Washington regained in control in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Cavaliers 18-11. With just over a minute left, Trevor Ariza’s 3-pointer put the game out of reach at 96-81. Ariza had 15 points on the night, while John Wall led the pack with 21. Bradley Beal added 17 and Marcin Gortat contributed 13 points and 13 rebounds. It was truly a group effort.
“We’re a team right now that’s just trying to play the right way and get on a roll,” Wall said.
A big blow to the team is the loss of offensive powerhouse Nene. The forward, who was coming off a career-high 30 point game on Saturday, left in the third quarter with a sprained knee. He scored just eight points before his early exit Sunday night.
On Monday, the Wizards announced the power forward had a sprained MCL. The injury will sideline Nene for about six weeks. Any return would coincide with the end of the regular season. It is a devastating loss for Washington, who is vying for a playoff spot in the weak Eastern Conference.
Though unfortunate, it’s not an unfamiliar situation. Trevor Booker, Kevin Seraphin, and Al Harrington have all stepped in for Nene when he’s been hurt. Though the team is very obviously better when he’s playing, the Wizards are hoping they can do enough without him so that when he returns, it won’t be for nothing.
Their first test will be Tuesday night against the Magic.
