(Photo: Getty Images via Washington Wizards)

Washington 111

Los Angeles 95

November 9, 2017, Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.

After a Marcin Gortat tweet that went wrong and a lackluster performance by John Wall in their first match up, the Washington Wizards were able to get payback in the Nation’s Capital by defeating the Los Angeles Lakers 111-95, putting them above .500. Wall was the high man with 23 points, Bradley Beal added 22, and Otto Porter Jr. chipped in with 20. Brook Lopez was the leading scorer for the Lakers with 15, followed by 13 points each by Kyle Kuzma and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.

Offensive Execution

Half court, and out of bounds plays, setting screens effectively for open shots, effectively taking advantage of match ups; that is what Washington did on Thursday. As good as the Wizards transition game is, they were able to produce their offense in a variety of ways. From taking advantage of matchups to executing plays in the half court and out of bounds plays, they were able to give the Lakers a difficult time defending the basketball. Add the transition offense that the Wizards are known for so far this season and you have a system that will consistently produce triple digit numbers every night.

Tim Frazier

This man is what each team needs. Yes, he is not consistent, yet, but what Frazier brings is someone that will run offensive plays. His scoring and assists will be there as the season progresses. But tonight, Frazier was able to make the right passes, control the tempo of the offense, and provide scoring. This in return, will help his confidence with each game. He ended up going perfect from the field and at the free throw line for 7 points and 5 assists in 17 minutes. Wall said after the game that having a starter, today it was Porter and Beal, with the bench leaves Frazier as a beneficiary by taking some off of his plate.

Transition And Team Defense

Lonzo Ball’s mentality of always looking down the court has been contagious for the Lakers. With the whole team in running mode, it provided a challenge for the Wizards as they gave up 14 fast break points. As great as the Wizards look on transition in offense, when another team is as good as they are, they can look lost. In regard to team defense, the Wizards will need to improve on their help side defense, especially when someone gets beat off the dribble, but progress was made because they played better one-on-one.

"It was just like they were, every missed shot they were running out and they were running the wings, running the lanes down the middle, and [Lonzo] Ball was finding kick-ahead passes," Scott Brooks said. "We have a tendency to relax. When you do that, it's a bang-bang-bang. It could be two or three threes and we did that. Probably we started that the last two minutes of the fourth quarter. A couple of tough breaks offensively and led to transition in the start of the fourth. Ebbs and flow of the game, you have to be able to withstand a team's run by playing solid defense, and I thought for the most part of that second half, it was pretty good."

Defensive Rebounding

Still a work in progress, the Wizards will need to establish their presence down low when it comes to defensive rebounds. While team rebounding has been solid, it is the rebounding down low that makes it difficult for the Wizards since their mentality is to get into transition immediately after a rebound.

Bradley Beal

Our what to watch player for tonight, he did not disappoint. Beal is letting people know why he should be considered one of the top shooting guards in the Eastern Conference. Not only is he known as one of the best shooters in the game, but the work that he has put in the offseason has shown through his aggressiveness going to the basket. He finished the game with 22 points on 8 of 16 shooting. If he continues to provide the Wizards as a dual threat scorer, watch his name along with John Wall in this year’s All-Star game. Beal has scored 20+ points in five straight games, which ties his third-longest streak of 20+ points in his career. He had a 13-game streak in late February and early March earlier this calendar year.

Next Game: The Wizards look to continue to defend their home court on Saturday as they face the Atlanta Hawks who will be playing on a back-to-back.