NBA -- Gortat rescues Wizards from Pelicans, 83-80
By Homer D. Sayson
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 01 Dec 2014
CHICAGO -- John Wall and Bradley Beal, one of the NBA's deadliest backcourt duos, missed a combined 15 shots and mustered only 23 points between them as the Washington Wizards produced their lowest output of the season on Saturday night.
But the Wizards somehow escaped with a narrow 83-80 decision at the Verizon Center, thanks to an unlikely hero, center Marcin Gortat, who was stellar on both ends of the floor.
Gortat came to Washington's rescue with 24 points and 13 rebounds. The 6-foot-11, 240-pound bruiser from Poland was also solid on defense, anchoring a resistance that held to Pelicans to just 30 of 81 from the field, a porous 37 percent clip.
"I was in the right spots. I tried to find open space, be productive, be more aggressive and more physical," said the 30-year old Gortat told the Washington Post.
Gortat, a former Magic who helped Orlando march into the 2009 NBA Finals, losing to Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers in five games, made 12 of 20 shots and had four blocks. He also had a pair of assists and two steals in 41 minutes of action.
All-Star Anthony Davis was the only bright spot for New Orleans with 30 points and 13 boards. His dunk with 3:47 left to play gave the Pelicans a 77-76 advantage. But the Wiz held them to three points the rest of the way to hang on with the triumph.
The Pelicans, who owns the league's 5th most efficient offense, was held to only 12 assists while committing 12 turnovers. The Wiz, on the other hand, lathered their offense with 26 dimes and limited their miscues to nine.
The victory thrust the 10-5 Wizards to second place in the Eastern Conference, just 2 1/2 games behind the 13-3 Toronto Raptors, who recently lost All-Star DeMar DeRozan indefinitely due to a torn tendon in the groin.
With their third straight debacle, the Pelicans fell to 7-8 and 10th place in the more competitive Western Conference. (Homer D. Sayson)
Photo: Wizards center Marcin Gortat (middle) powered his way to 24 points and 13 rebounds to help Washington edge the New Orleans Pelicans, 83-80, at the Verizon Center on Saturday night.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Homer D. Sayson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Jake Paul Undergoes Surgery for Broken Jaw Following Knockout Loss to Anthony Joshua
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 21 Dec 2025Anthony Joshua Drops Jake Paul 4 Times En Route to a 6th Round Stoppage
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 20 Dec 2025Jean Henri Lhuillier Hails RP Blu Boys’ Golden Triumph at the SEA Games
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 20 Dec 2025ACCRA WEIGH-IN RESULTS: RICHARDS AND AZEEZ PREPARE FOR HISTORIC CLASH
Sat, 20 Dec 2025Two USA Boxing Junior National Champions Invited to Attend Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua Bout Friday in Miami
Sat, 20 Dec 2025Ramon Cardenas Scores One Punch Knockout Over Erik Robles in Main Event of ProBoxTV’s The Contender Series
Fri, 19 Dec 2025Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua: The Jig Is Up
By Chris Carlson, Fri, 19 Dec 2025January 31: Rohan Polanco-Christian Gomez Confirmed as Co-Feature to Xander Zayas-Abass Baraou Title Unification Showdown at Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan
Fri, 19 Dec 2025Jake Paul, Anthony Joshua Tip the Scales Ahead of Netflix Heavyweight Spectacle in Miami
By Dong Secuya, Fri, 19 Dec 2025Suelo rules Thailand chess tourney
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 19 Dec 2025RICHARDS AND AZEEZ SET FOR HISTORIC SHOWDOWN AS SOUTH LONDON LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS FACE-OFF AT PRESS CONFERENCE IN GHANA
Fri, 19 Dec 2025Brooklyn’s undefeated Pryce Taylor Called one of top heavyweight prospects in U.S.
Fri, 19 Dec 2025INDIGO FIGHT NIGHT RESULTS AS GIORGIO VISOLI OVERCOMES TOUGH JOE HOWARTH – AND TIAH-MAI AYTON WINS AGAIN
Thu, 18 Dec 2025Weights From ProBoxTV’s ‘Merry Fistmas’ at War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale, Tomorrow Night at 7 pm ET
Thu, 18 Dec 2025Undefeated Jose Tito Sanchez Returns to Face Jesus Ramirez Rubio in Super Bantamweight Main Event on Friday
Thu, 18 Dec 2025