The Washington Wizards ended their 16-game losing streak with a bang in the form of a 133-110 drubbing of the Utah Jazz at Delta Center.
The Wizards had their most dominant first half of the season against a Jazz squad determined to out-tank them. Washington took a 13-point lead to end the first quarter and continued to pile on before the halftime buzzer, leading by as many as 31 points before settling on a 72-45 advantage at the break.
Juju Reese was holding the detonator during the first-half demolition
job. Reese shot 8/9 from the field while collecting every rebound in his orbit, finishing with 18 points and 10 rebounds with another half to play. He feasted on a Jazz frontline that started 190-pound Cody Williams at center, which amusingly made Juju look like a prime Joel Embiid.
The Wizards rode the huge first-half lead and coasted to a 133-110 victory. The 23-point win was Washington’s largest margin of victory of the season.
Reese finished with a monster double-double of 26 points and 17 rebounds on a 12-of-16 clip. The Maryland alum clearly loves playing the Jazz as he’s averaging 22.0 points and 18.5 rebounds in two games this season.
Will Riley had a double-double of his own with 19 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists across just 22 minutes. The reserve guard duo of Jaden Hardy and Sharife Cooper combined for 38 points off the bench.
The Wizards continue their road trip on Friday with a late-night clash against the Golden State Warriors.
