Porter helps Wizards steamroll Hawks
ATLANTA -- Otto Porter Jr. bounced back from a poor offensive night to score 21 points and grab 11 rebounds and sparked the Washington Wizards to a 112-86 win over the Atlanta Hawks and pulled to within one-half game of fourth place in the Eastern Conference.
It was the largest margin of victory of the season for the Wizards, eclipsing their 25-point win at Boston on Nov. 9. Washington (26-20) has won three straight, 10 of its last 12 games and is within one-half game of the fourth place in the Eastern Conference.
The Wizards never trailed and shot 48.8 percent from the field. They have won two of the three meetings against the Hawks and broke a two-game losing streak at Philips Arena.
Porter was 7 of 11 from the field, including five 3-point baskets, and added four assists. He was coming off a six-point effort against Boston on Wednesday and had totaled just 31 points over the three previous games.
Washington's backcourt contributed plenty. Point guard John Wall had 19 points, eight rebounds and nine assists, with Bradley Beal adding 15 points and four assists. Forward Markieff Morris and center Marcin Gortat each scored 15, with Gortat added 12 rebounds.
Atlanta (27-20) got 15 points from guard Kent Bazemore, 12 points from guard Tim Hardaway Jr., and 12 points and 13 rebounds from center Dwight Howard, who had his 29th double-double of the season.
The Hawks endured a poor floor game from point guard Dennis Schroder. He was 3-for-11 from the floor -- 2-for-9 in the first half -- and had four turnovers. Schroder had averaged 21.3 points over the last four games, but was limited to nine points. Forward Paul Millsap scored a season-low four points.
The Wizards shot 56 percent from the floor and led 37-25 after the first quarter. Washington started the game with a 10-1 run and led by as many as 15 after Wall made a pair of free throws with 1:30 left to make it 35-20. Washington had five 3-pointers in the quarter.
The Wizards carried the momentum into the second quarter and built the lead to 25 points on Porter's 3-pointer with 6.3 seconds left made it 67-42. Washington led 67-45 at the half.
Washington shot 53 percent in the first half, compared to 30 percent for Atlanta.
The Wizards never let Atlanta to get back in the game, led by as many as 30 points and took a 93-68 lead after three periods. Both teams played backups for most of the final quarter.
NOTES: Atlanta coach Mike Budenholzer wore a bow tie on Friday night in honor of Michael Goldberg, the executive director of the National Basketball Coaches Association, who died last week at age 73. Budenholzer and Goldberg became friends when the coach began his career as an assistant at San Antonio. ... Atlanta F Mike Muscala was active; he had missed six straight games with a sprained ankle. Gary Neal was inactive for the Hawks. ... Washington G John Wall and Atlanta F Paul Millsap were named to the NBA All-Star team as reserves. It is the four time each has been chosen. ... Reports say Atlanta is among the teams interested in signing Lamar Patterson to a 10-day contract. He played 35 games for the Hawks last season. ... Both teams play again Sunday -- Atlanta will host the New York Knicks, while Washington completes the second leg of a two-game road trip with a visit to New Orleans.