Wizards recover after losing lead for 94-91 win
ORLANDO, Fla. -- John Wall scored six of his 26 points in the final two minutes to deliver the Washington Wizards' 94-91 win over the Orlando Magic on Friday night at Amway Center.
The Wizards lost an early 19-point lead as they took advantage of 15 Magic turnovers in the first half. Orlando clawed its way back thanks to a stellar defensive effort that held the Wizards to 6-of-29 shooting from beyond the arc.
Washington made the shots when they counted, though, including two by Otto Porter to help erase a four-point Orlando lead in the fourth quarter.
Porter scored 19 points and Bradley Beal added 14 points for the Wizards.
Beal might face further discipline from the league, however, after he wrapped his hands around Evan Fournier's neck early in the fourth quarter during a post-foul scuffle between Porter and Magic center Bismack Biyombo.
It was indicative of the competitiveness the game took on after it seemed like the Wizards would coast past the struggling Magic.
Orlando fought back thanks to strong play inside from Nikola Vucevic. He finished with 17 points and 17 rebounds. Serge Ibaka scored 19 points and Elfrid Payton added 15 points.
The Magic, who entered the game with the worst offense in the league by several measures, shot just 23.8 percent from the field in the first quarter, deepening the problems the team's poor ball protection caused and digging a sizable hole.
Orlando recovered to get back into the game, shooting 43.8 percent from the field for the game. But their inability to create good shots hurt the Magic late.
NOTES" Wizards G John Wall missed Washington's last game against the Orlando Magic earlier in the season as the Wizards tried to manage his minutes following multiple knee surgeries this past summer. Wizards coach Scott Brooks said the team will still monitor Wall's minutes on back-to-backs, but he could see an increased workload. . . . Following Wednesday's game, Magic F Jeff Green said the team's games against the Wizards and Milwaukee Bucks (on Sunday) are "must-win" games before the team heads out on a five-game road trip beginning Tuesday in San Antonio. . . . Wizards F Otto Porter played despite hurting his right hip in Monday's game against the Phoenix Suns and missing practice Tuesday. . . . The Magic's players, coaches, management and staff spent their Thanksgiving morning serving breakfast at the Coalition for the Homeless in Orlando. It is the 24th year the Magic have participated in this program on Thanksgiving.