Wizards unable to manage lead in double overtime loss to visiting Nets

The Washington Wizards led by as many as 14 points Friday yet fell 115-113 in double overtime to the visiting Brooklyn Nets. Brook Lopez paced the Nets with a game-high 27 points and 13 rebounds, while Deron Williams chipped in 24 points and a team-high 10 assists. Wizards rookie Bradley Beal led Washington in defeat with a season-high 24 points, including a three-pointer which sent the game into its second overtime.
"He (Beal) made two big shots, huge shots, and then went to the line and made a couple free throws," summarized Wizards Head Coach Randy Wittman postgame. "Bradley kept us alive when we should have been dead and we should have never been dead to begin with."
Washington led Brooklyn 30-20 after one quarter, tying their season-high for total points scored in the first period. Nene led the Wizards with 10 of those 30 points, while Beal provided 7. Nene would end up with 20 points overall and would foul out during the first overtime, which would prove to be a critical loss.
Reserve shooting guard Jordan Crawford added 13 of his 23 points off the bench in the second quarter, yet the Williams-led Nets nailed 7 three-pointers on their way to a 32-25 second quarter advantage. At half, Washington led 55-52.
The Wizards couldn't find the same opening success in the third, as former Wizards forward Andray Blatche scored 7 points and secured 6 rebounds for the Nets. He would end up with a 13 points, 12 rebounds double-double against his former squad, including a game-high 4 steals.
"The booing didn't affect me at all because I don't play for them," said Blatche, who faced harsh fan criticism last year as a Wizard due to his inconsistent play and media covered nightlife. "They're supposed to boo me. They're supposed to go against me. This game was no different than the crowd when we went against the Knicks. I was already used to it, so I just basically went out and played." Despite his candor, Blatche was thinking about his seven-year stint with Washington like anyone would. "I was nervous," said Blatche, regarding the double overtime finish. "I definitely didn't want to come here and lose. Our guys, we kept our cool. Had some big shots. Closed it out and got the win."