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Wall Helps Wizards Beat Magic for 12th Straight Time, 105-99
- Updated: January 9, 2016
John Wall had 24 points and 10 assists to help the Washington Wizards defeat the Orlando Magic for the 12th straight time, 105-99 on Saturday night.
The victory ended a three-game losing streak for the Wizards, who got double-figure scoring from all five starters and reserve Gary Neal. Otto Porter, Jared Dudley and Neal each scored 16 points, Marcin Gortat had 12 points and 10 rebounds, and Garrett Temple added 11 points.
The Magic were led by Nikola Vucevic, who had 23 points and nine rebounds. Victor Oladipo scored 17 and Channing Frye added 12 for Orlando, which has lost five of six.
Washington had a 100-90 lead with less than 3 minutes left when Wall lined up a 3-pointer from approximately 30 feet away and drained it.
The Wizards led by double digits throughout the second half until Tobias Harris’ layup cut Orlando’s deficit to 94-86 with 5:14 remaining.
The Magic, who struggled offensively most of the game, hit 13 of 17 shots in the fourth quarter and there was enough time for one last rally, but Wall kept the Wizards in front.
The point guard fed Dudley for a 3-pointer to quiet the crowd, then pushed the shot clock near expiration before unloading from three or four steps behind the 3-point line. A minute later, he nailed one more pull-up jumper from 20 feet out.
Washington was extremely aggressive at the defensive end in the third period, limiting Orlando to 7-of-18 shooting (38.8 percent) and creating plenty of running opportunities. All five Wizard starters were in double figures by end of the quarter as Washington hit 11 of 17 shots, spreading the ball evenly.
That included a running, left-handed, 17-footer by Wall that sailed over the 6-foot-11 Vucevic and went through the net as the third-quarter buzzer sounded to give Washington an 85-70 lead going into the final period.
The Wizards came out with a fast-paced attack that produced plenty of wide-open perimeter shots and fast-break opportunities in the first half. Wall had 12 points and five assists as Washington built a 60-49 halftime lead.
Washington’s crisp ball movement produced 16 assists and helped the team shoot 60.5 percent in the half.
TIP-INS
Wizards: Power forward Nene, who just returned from missing 19 games with a strained left calf, was out with a strained right triceps. Shooting guard Bradley Beal (leg) missed his 15th consecutive game and PF Kris Humphries (knee) missed his third straight. . Washington converted all six Magic turnovers into 12 fast-break baskets in the first period. . The Wizards had 20 fast-break points to just nine for Orlando. . Gortat has double-doubles in 15 of his last 21 games.
Magic: Vucevic received a flagrant 1 foul for hitting Gortat in the face in the third period. . The Magic have scored fewer than 100 points in nine straight games against Washington. . Opponents have made as many free throws this season (665) as the Magic have attempted. . Point guard Elfrid Payton, who played 116 straight games, missed his fourth straight with a bone bruise. The club expects him to be ready by Thursday against Toronto.
