Washington Wizards struggle when Bradley Beal scores 40 points or more

Bradley Beal (Google Images)

There is a great saying in sports that “offense isn’t everything.” That saying at the moment could apply to Washington Wizards shooting guard Bradley Beal of St. Louis, Missouri.

On Sunday, at the United Center, Beal scored 53 points. It was not simply enough. The Wizards lost 126-117 to the Chicago Bulls, even though Beal had a career night offensively.

The optimum word in that previous sentence was “offensively.” Beal scored 53 points, but was still a -4 when it came to for and against. Also, in eight games this season where Beal has scored 40 points or more, the Wizards only have a record of one win and seven losses. For NBA players with a minimum of five 40 point games during a single season, Beal has the third worst winning percentage of .125. Only Allen Iverson of the Philadelphia 76ers (0-5 in 1996-97) and Walt Bellamy of the Chicago Packers (1-11, winning percentage of .083 in 1961-62) are worse according to ESPN.

Beal had his first 40 point game this season on October 30 when he scored 46 points in a tight 159-158 loss to the Houston Rockets. On that night, James Harden scored 59 points for Houston. Beal then had 44 points in a 140-133 loss to the Boston Celtics on November 13. Seven Celtics reached double digits in scoring.

Two nights later in Minnesota, the Wizards finally won a game when Beal reached 40 points. He scored 44 points in a 137-116 win over the Timberwolves on November 15.

The Wizards once again were defeated on December 3 when Beal scored 42 points. Washington was beaten 127-120 to the Orlando Magic. Beal struggled defensively as he had three turnovers and was a -15.

Beal then had three 40 point games in a span of nine days from January 26 to February 3–all Wizards losses. He scored 40 points in a 152-133 Wizards loss to the Atlanta Hawks on January 26. On this night it was Hawks star point guard Trae Young who led the game in scoring with 45 points. That was followed by 47 points in a 151-131 Wizards loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on January 28. In this game, Khris Middleton had 51 points for Milwaukee. Then on February 3, the Wizards could not even beat the lowly Golden State Warriors when Beal scored 43 points as Washington was beaten 125-117.

Beal is scoring points, and the Wizards offense is clicking. At 115.5 points per game, they have scored the second most points per game in the Eastern Conference. However, they have given up a NBA high 119.8 points per game, and their horrendous defense is why Washington is not in a playoff spot.