Wizards 119, Nuggets 89
Kris Humphries recorded a season-high 20 points to lead six players in double figures as Washington rolled over Denver to complete a perfect four-game homestand.
Kevin Seraphin (season high) and Rasual Butler each scored 16 off the bench while Marcin Gortat had 15 as the Wizards posted their season-high in scoring. Bradley Beal registered 14 points, Paul Pierce had 11 and John Wall contributed nine points, 12 assists, eight rebounds and two blocks for Washington.
Wilson Chandler poured in 20 points while Ty Lawson scored 14 and handed out 10 assists for the Nuggets, who shot 37.8 percent from the field. Denver was outrebounded 52-36 and committed 19 turnovers – 11 in the first half – leading to 21 points for Washington.
Butler scored six as the Wizards recorded 10 of the first 12 points in the second quarter to push their lead to double digits for the first time. Humphries scored 11 in the quarter to help the lead grow to as many as 20 after a three-point play by Gortat, and Washington settled for a 65-46 edge at intermission.
Beal’s 3-pointer and a pair of free throws by Gortat extended the Wizards’ advantage to 24 early in the second half and the Nuggets went to the fourth down 90-69. Denver could not muster a rally in the final 12 minutes and Butler’s 3-pointer increased the lead to 34 with 3:47 to go.
GAME NOTEBOOK: The Wizards, who finished with a season-high 35 assists, matched their best home start since 1984-85 with nine wins in the first 11 contests. … The Nuggets went 5-of-22 from 3-point range, ending their streak of five straight games with at least 10 made. … Washington F Nene returned to the lineup after missing five games with plantar fasciitis, recording eight points and eight rebounds in 18 minutes of action.