Beal enjoys career night as Wizards topple Suns
WASHINGTON -- Bradley Beal scored a career-high 42 points - including 14 in the fourth quarter - as the Washington Wizards rallied past the Phoenix Suns for a 106-101 win on Monday night.
Beal carried the offense as the Wizards (4-9) avoided another home loss despite trailing by 11 points in the second half. John Wall shot a dismal 6 of 24 from the field for 18 points, but he scored seven straight after Devin Booker did the same to give Phoenix a 100-99 lead.
Wall's 3-point play off a putback with 1:08 remaining put the Wizards up for good. He added a mid-range jumper and two free throws. The point guard had 15 assists for Washington, which has won two of three.
Booker recorded 30 points and six 3-pointers, and Eric Bledsoe had 29 points for the Suns (4-11). Phoenix led 78-67 in the third quarter and 80-75 entering the final period, but trailed 99-94 after Beal's two free throws with 2:55 left. The Suns committed 20 turnovers en route to losing for the fifth time in six games.
Beal scored a season-high 34 points in Saturday's 114-111 loss to the Miami Heat. His scoring surge continued Monday with the first back-to-back contests of at least 30 points in his career. He made 5 of 10 3-pointers against the Suns as the Wizards finished 10 of 28 while shooting 40.7 percent overall from the field.
Marcin Gortat had 10 points and 13 rebounds for the Wizards.
Phoenix trailed 50-46 at halftime, but opened the second half with a 9-2 spurt. Booker's fifth 3-pointer gave the Suns their largest lead. Washington countered with a 16-2 surge.
Neither team entered with any momentum and both suffered losses to the perennial NBA cellar dwelling Philadelphia 76ers last week. The Suns fell 120-105 Saturday night.
Beal had 16 points in the first half and went 3 of 3 from beyond the arc. The Wizards collectively only shot 40 percent, yet led at halftime as the Suns committed 14 turnovers.
Otto Porter had nine points and nine rebounds for the Wizards, but left in the third quarter with right hip inflammation.
Alex Len had 11 points and 10 rebounds for Phoenix.
NOTES: The relationship between Washington G John Wall and G Bradley Beal received headlines during the offseason over possible tension between the pair. "I think it's a working relationship in the sense of, when they're on the court, they have a respect," said Suns F Jared Dudley, who played with the Wizards last season. "But, it's difficult when you have two stars both trying to come into their prime." ... Phoenix C Tyson Chandler (personal reasons) and F T.J. Warren (illness) did make the trip to Washington. ... Both teams play their next game at Orlando as the Suns and Magic meet Wednesday. ... The Wizards next play Friday at Orlando. The Magic snapped a 12-game losing streak against Washington with an 88-86 home win on Nov. 5.