Nets at Wizards
Kyrie Irving is fresh off the second-highest scoring performance in franchise history as the Brooklyn Nets visit the Washington Wizards on Saturday. Irving poured in 54 points on 19-of-23 shooting in Friday's 133-118 home win over the Chicago Bulls, falling three short of the franchise record set by Deron Williams during the 2011-12 season.
Irving was 7-of-9 from 3-point range and 9-of-10 from the free-throw line during his second 50-point outing of the season and had a simple explanation for the big performance. "The beauty is in the process, it's in the preparation," Irving said in a postgame television interview. Star guard Bradley Beal recorded 34 points, nine rebounds and nine assists as the Wizards opened up a six-game homestand with a 121-107 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday. Beal has notched five straight 30-point outings and is averaging 39 points during the stretch.
TIME: 8 p.m. ET. TV: YES, NBCS Washington
ABOUT THE NETS (21-26): Friday's game was just Irving's 19th of the season in his first season with Brooklyn and he is beginning to feel a deep connection with the club. "I'm just happy to be back playing the game I love the most," Irving said in a postgame television interview. "The decision to come back home was well worth it. I'm cemented, I'm here, I'm grounded, I'm rooted and I'm just happy." Irving, who missed 26 games due to a shoulder injury earlier this season, fueled an offense that shot 62.5 percent from the field against the Bulls and scored at least 30 points in each quarter.
ABOUT THE WIZARDS (16-31): Everybody associated with Washington was stunned that Beal, a two-time All-Star, was passed over when All-Star reserves were announced Thursday despite his averages of 28.7 points, 6.4 assists and 4.5 rebounds. "I know how I am, (so) I was kind of expecting it, honestly," Beal said in a postgame television interview. "It's disrespectful, but the real ones know (I'm an All-Star). I'll just keep competing. I'm going to try to get my team in the playoffs for sure." Center Thomas Bryant scored 21 points versus Charlotte and is averaging 19.5 points on 16-of-22 shooting over the past two games.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Wizards have won 15 of the past 21 meetings.
2. Brooklyn G Spencer Dinwiddie scored 20 points against Chicago and is averaging 23.7 points over the past three games.
3. Washington F Rui Hachimura (groin) could return Saturday after missing the past 22 contests.