Wizards ‘Quit Playing Defensively’ on George Hill’s Game-Winner (VIDEO)

Giving up has become a recurring and disturbing theme for the reeling Washington Wizards, who got their hearts broken Wednesday night as George Hill waltzed in for a game-winning layup.

Hill scored 29 points, and found a clear path to the hoop to give the visiting Indiana Pacers a 103-101 win in front of some international soccer stars.

Wizards head coach Randy Wittman blasted his squad for not sticking to the defensive game plan.

Per the WaPo:

The Wizards blew a 10-point lead in the final six minutes, received some heroics from John Wall in the form of a tying three-pointer with 11.9 seconds remaining, then crumbled on the defensive end when George Hill drove past Martell Webster and a slow-to-arrive Nene for the winning layup with 2.7 seconds remaining.

 

“We were supposed to trap the ball. We didn’t,” Wizards Coach Randy Wittman said. “We’re undisciplined. We blew that lead because of our gambling and giving no effort defensively. We just quit playing defensively.” […] That marked the second time in the past week the Wizards’ resolve had been put in doubt. Following Monday’s 107-76 loss to Golden State, Marreese Speights said he knew Washington would “quit” when the Warriors turned up the defensive pressure.

 

With (Bradley) Beal back in the locker room (with a sprained ankle) and four other players sidelined entering Wednesday’s game, the Wizards were low on options. The predicament left it up to Wall, the team’s unquestioned playmaker, to assert himself. Using his speed to both create opportunities and counter Indiana’s clock-chewing cadence, the all-star guard zoomed downcourt and exhorted the rest of the Wizards to follow his lead. Wall’s 10 points on an assortment of jumpers and transition layups put the Wizards back in command at 76-70 after three quarters. […] “I know some games I am not as aggressive, but I am a point guard trying to get those guys open shots,” Wall said. “Tonight we were kind of struggling, and when Brad went down, I got a little more aggressive.”