The Washington Wizards (16-19) defeated the Orlando Magic (20-18) 105-99 on Saturday.
The Wizards snapped a three-game skid on the strength of an outstanding shooting night. All five starters managed double-digit points, and Washington was able to shoot a stellar 55.3 percent from the field and 56.5 percent from beyond the arc. Four members of the first unit were able to tally at least one three-pointer, and Gary Neal also pitched in with two treys of his own off the bench. The performance provided a glimpse of the significant potential the Wizards' offense possesses, even with Bradley Beal out of the lineup. However, their inability to put together outings such as Saturday's with any type of consistency has been at the root of their mediocre record over the first 35 games.
John Wall led the way for the visitors with another one of his patented double-doubles, tallying 24 points, 10 assists, five rebounds and four steals. It was the All-Star point guard's 13th double-double outing in the last 16 games, an amazing stretch that has helped keep Washington afloat in Beal's absence. Otto Porter and Jared Dudley were next in line with a pair of 16-point efforts, with the former adding two rebounds, two assists and four steals, while the latter dished out four dimes and hauled in three boards. Marcin Gortat managed 12 points for the fourth straight contest, and added 10 rebounds, an assist, a block and a steal. It was the Wizards' big man's sixth double-double over the last seven games. Garrett Temple rounded out the starting five's productive night with 11 points, four rebounds and four assists, and Neal collected 16 points, three assists, a rebound and a block over 22 minutes to pace the reserves.
The Wizards improved to 16-19 and but still reside in last place in the Eastern Conference's Southeast Division. They next head to Chicago for a Monday night showdown with the Bulls.
The Magic was spearheaded by Nikola Vucevic, who turned in an impressive performance against Gortat's stout defense. Orlando's big man registered 23 points, nine rebounds, five assists and a steal. Victor Oladipo received another start at point guard and was solid once again, pouring in 17 points and adding five assists, three rebounds, a steal and a block. However, he had trouble keeping the ball away from the opposition, equaling his season high with six turnovers. Channing Frye managed one of his most fruitful offensive nights of the year, tallying 12 points and bringing down four rebounds. Tobias Harris and Evan Fournier rounded out the starting five with a pair of 11-point outings. Aaron Gordon was highly efficient from the bench, posting a 10-point, 10-rebound double-double over 30 minutes.
Orlando fell to 20-18 but remains in second place in the Eastern Conference's Southeast Division. They'll now take a jaunt across the Atlantic to face off against the Toronto Raptors in London on Thursday.
