Wizards sink Pelicans for 17th in row at home
WASHINGTON -- John Wall had 24 points and 13 assists as the Washington Wizards extended their NBA-high home winning streak to 17 games with a 105-91 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday night.
The Wizards (30-20) closed the game with a 15-0 run, holding the Pelicans without a point for the final 5:51. All five starters scored in double figures for the Wizards as they used a balanced attack to win their seventh in a row overall and fend off the Pelicans for the second time this week.
After Tyreke Evans's basket put the Pelicans up 91-90, Wall fed Markieff Morris for a dunk. Morris scored seven of his 18 points and Wall added six in the closing stretch.
The victory improved Washington to 22-6 at home, matching last season's win total. They put both winning streaks on the line Monday against the Eastern Conference-leading Cleveland Cavaliers.
Anthony Davis had 25 points and 10 rebounds for the Pelicans (19-32). New Orleans has lost four in a row and finished its road trip 0-3.
Since Dec. 1, Washington owns the best record in the East at 24-9, including 14 wins in its last 16 games. Its last home loss was Dec. 6 to Orlando.
Marcin Gortat had 12 points and 17 rebounds for the Wizards. Otto Porter and Bradley Beal each added 12 points.
New Orleans shot 5 of 17 on 3-pointers. Terrence Jones and Evans each had 15 for the Pelicans.
New Orleans outscored Washington 34-27 in the third quarter for an 83-80 lead before the crowd of 19,651.
Porter scored 10 points in the first half and Washington led by as many as 12 before settling for a 53-49 lead at halftime. New Orleans outscored Washington 13-7 over the final 3:34 and took a 69-66 lead on back-to-back baskets by Buddy Hield and Davis midway through the third quarter.
Wall had 18 points and a season-high 19 assists in Washington's 107-94 win at New Orleans last Sunday.
NOTES: Pelicans F Anthony Davis had 36 points and 17 rebounds in the first meeting against the Wizards. ... Washington C Ian Mahinmi participated in his first full practice Friday. The team's top free agent acquisition received platelet-rich plasma treatment on both knees shortly before Christmas. Mahinmi has only played 14 minutes this season. ... New Orleans G Jrue Holiday averaged 24.7 points on 59.6 shooting from the field in his previous six games. ... The Wizards lost to the Cavaliers 105-94 in Cleveland on Nov. 11. ... New Orleans returns home to host Phoenix on Monday. The season series is tied 1-1, with each team winning on the road.