Wall carries Wizards past Hornets
WASHINGTON -- John Wall had 25 points, 10 assists and seven steals as the Washington Wizards used their highest scoring quarter of the season to help defeat the Charlotte Hornets 109-106 Wednesday night.
Bradley Beal scored 18 of his 20 points in the second half and set a career high with nine assists for the Wizards (10-14). Washington outscored Charlotte 38-23 in the third quarter for an 87-77 lead and fended off the Hornets late. The Wizards shot 51.7 percent from the field, outrebounded the Hornets 41-33 and dominated points in the paint 56-28.
The Hornets (14-12) lost their third straight despite shooting 51.4 percent from the field and sinking 14 of 33 (42.4 percent) 3-pointers. Nicolas Batum had 20 points and eight assists, Cody Zeller scored 18 points and Kemba Walker 17.
Beal missed all six of his field-goal attempts in the first half, but scored 11 points in the third quarter. His free throws gave Washington a 108-102 lead with 24.6 seconds remaining. Charlotte quickly made two layups, including Zeller's with 10.8 seconds left after Wall committed his eighth turnover.
After Wall split a pair of free throws 9.6 seconds left, Batum and Walker missed potential game-tying 3-pointers in the closing moments.
Marcin Gortat had 16 points and 12 rebounds. Washington lost 112-101 at the Miami Heat Monday night, but have won three of four overall.
All five of Washington's starters scored in double figures including Kelly Oubre Jr., who had 15 points in his first start of the season. Otto Porter scored 10 points.
Wall passed Greg Ballard (762) to become the franchise's all-time leader in steals. The point guard also had plenty of turnovers, but his teammates committed only six. The Hornets had 18 turnovers.
The Hornets shot 55.3 percent from the field in the first half for a 54-49 halftime lead and pulled ahead 66-56 early in the third. Wall and Beal took over from there as Washington's backcourt fueled a 31-11 run over the final 8:01 of the quarter. Trey Burke's jumper opened the fourth-quarter scoring for an 89-77 lead.
Oubre replaced Markieff Morris, who was a late scratch with a sore foot.
NOTES: Wizards C Ian Mahinmi increased his activity during a recent workout, coach Scott Brooks said, but remains sidelined with knee tendinitis. The big man will be re-evaluated Friday, which will mark a week since his last MRI. Mahinmi has played in just one game this season. ... Charlotte entered Wednesday second in the NBA in screen assists -- screens that lead directly to points -- behind the Golden State Warriors. ... The teams reunite Jan. 23 in Charlotte for the second of the four-game, head-to-head series. ... Washington hosts the Detroit Pistons on Friday. ... Charlotte closes its five-game road trip with matchups Friday at the Boston Celtics and Saturday against the Atlanta Hawks.