Wizards thrash Thunder for third consecutive win
WASHINGTON -- Markieff Morris scored 23 points, and John Wall had 15 points and 14 assists as the Washington Wizards thrashed the Oklahoma City Thunder 120-98 on Monday night.
Bradley Beal scored 22 points as all five starters scored in double figures for the Wizards, who made 13 of 21 3-point attempts, shot 57.5 percent from the field overall and led by as many as 34 points.
Washington (33-21) has won three straight, 10 of 11 overall and 19 of 20 at home. The Wizards are an Eastern Conference-best 17-5 since Jan. 1.
Russell Westbrook scored 17 points for the Thunder, but the Most Valuable Player candidate was nowhere near his triple-double form. Less than 48 hours after an emotional matchup against former his teammate, Golden State Warriors star Kevin Durant, Westbrook finished with four rebounds and four assists while shooting 5 of 19 from the field.
Oklahoma City (31-25) shot 35.4 percent overall and 7 of 34 on 3-point tries in its second straight loss.
The Wizards opened the game making their first nine field-goal attempts and led by 16 points in the first quarter, though the Thunder sliced the margin to 47-44 with 8:09 remaining before halftime. The Washington starters soon returned to action, and the Wizards' domination followed. Over the next 13:48, the Wizards outscored the Thunder 44-13.
Otto Porter (18 points, 12 rebounds) scored 13 in the third quarter as the Wizards dominated the period 34-19. That included two for Porter on a fastbreak dunk off Wall's spectacular, behind-the-back pass between his own legs for an 86-57 lead. Porter's 3-pointer moments later gave Washington its largest lead at 91-57.
In the teams' previous meeting, Oklahoma City rallied late to force overtime before running away in the extra period for a 126-115 on Nov. 30. Westbrook had one of his 26 triple-double this season in the win, but he had scant help in the rematch.
Westbrook was the only Oklahoma City starter to score in double figures. Joffrey Lauvergne scored 17 points and Cameron Payne had 12 off the bench.
Marcin Gortat had 12 points and Trey Burke 11 for Washington.
Beal hit three 3-pointers in the first quarter as the Wizards led 22-6. Washington finished the quarter with 38 points, tying its season high for an opening period. However, the Wizards led by only six entering the second as Westbrook scored 13 points in the opening period. Over the final three quarters, Westbrook missed 12 of 13 shots.
NOTES: Thunder G Russell Westbrook had 35 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists in the first meeting of the season with Washington. ... Wizards G John Wall started despite sitting out the past two practices with a sprained left ankle he sustained Friday in a win over the Pacers. ... Oklahoma City's Billy Donovan was the coach at the University of Florida during Wizards G Bradley Beal's one standout season in college. "He has the 'it' factor. He's a winner," Donovan said. ... Oklahoma City hosts New York on Wednesday before entering the All-Star break. The Thunder won the first meeting on the road 112-103. ... The Wizards end the pre-All Star portion of the schedule Thursday at the Pacers. Washington leads the season series 2-1 after a 112-107 home win over Indiana on Friday.