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Wizards 111, Lakers 95
Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry (print and digital media). A freelance writer/stay-at-home dad since 2008, Hawkins started his career with newspaper stints in Michigan, North Carolina, Florida, Upstate New York and Illinois, where he earned the 2004 APSE first-place award for column writing (under 40,000 circulation). As a beat writer, he covered NASCAR Winston Cup events at NHIS (1999-2003), the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks (2003-06) and the NFL's Carolina Panthers (2011-12). Hawkins penned four youth sports books, including a Michael Jordan biography. Hawkins' main hobbies include mountain bike riding, 5k trail runs at the Whitewater Center in Charlotte, N.C., and live music.
All posts by Jeff HawkinsUpdated15 Oct 2021
WASHINGTON — Guard Kobe Bryant scored 29 points, but the Los Angeles Lakers’ modest winning streak ended as Bradley Beal’s scoring, John Wall’s passing and Kris Humphries’ rebounding carried the Washington Wizards to a 111-95 victory on Wednesday night.
Beal had 27 points and backcourt partner Wall finished with 17 points and a season-high 15 assists for the Wizards (12-5), winners of three straight. Starting at power forward for the injured Nene, Humphries grabbed 20 rebounds. Forward Paul Pierce added 14 points, but he limped to the locker room in the third quarter and did not return with an injured right big toe.
Los Angeles (5-14) had won two straight and started the season 4-0 against the Eastern Conference. The Lakers last won three straight games Nov. 17-24, 2013.
Washington relentlessly attacked Los Angeles’ substandard interior defense, finishing with a 56-20 points-in-the-paint advantage. Center Marcin Gortat had 21 points and 11 rebounds. The Wizards won three straight over Los Angeles.
After trailing by 11 in the first half, the Wizards took the lead for good during a 23-4 run overlapping halftime. Another spurt opened a 13-point lead in third quarter, providing enough cushion to offset various surges by the Lakers.
Despite playing in his second road game in as many nights, the 36-year-old Bryant scored 15 points in the first quarter and 20 before halftime. He did so to the delight of a large and vocal faction of Lakers fans or at least Bryant admirers. However, the NBA’s scoring leader faded late, missing all seven of his second half attempts from the field, finishing 8 of 22 overall.
Bryant sank two free throws to pull the Lakers within 97-93 with 2:05 remaining. The Wizards then made their final six field goal attempts, including Wall’s four-point play with 11.1 seconds left.
Facing his former team, guard Nick Young made 5 of 8 3-pointers and scored 21 points. Guard Jeremy Lin’s shooting night went the other way, missing all 10 of his field goal attempts.
Wall had 13 assists in Monday’s 107-86 romp over the Miami Heat.
Los Angeles led 47-36 on guard Wesley Johnson’s 3-pointer with 5:45 left in the second quarter.
Beal scored 16 as the Wizards led 54-52 at halftime.
NOTES: Wizards PF Nene missed his fifth straight game with a right foot injury. … Lakers guard Nick Young spent his first 4 1/2 seasons with the Wizards after being selected 16th overall by Washington in the first round of the 2007 draft. Asked what has changed with Young’s game since his time in Washington, Wizards coach Randy Wittman said pregame, “He still shoots a lot.” Wittman added that Young had matured as a player. …Wizards guard John Wall was among the runners-up to Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler for Eastern Conference Player of the Month. … The Wizards close their three-game homestand Friday night against the Denver Nuggets. … The Lakers play at the Boston Celtics on Friday.
