NBA News Wire
Wizards 104, Bucks 91
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 Bradley Beal scored 26 points and all five starters scored in double figures as the Washington Wizards ran away from the Milwaukee Bucks in the second half for a 104-91 victory on Saturday night.
Guard John Wall had 15 points and eight assists while center Marcin Gortat added 13 points and 13 rebounds for the Wizards (42-38), winners off two straight.
Washington maintained its one game lead over the Charlotte Bobcats for sixth place in the Eastern Conference. The Bobcats defeated the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday night.
Beal scored 15 points in the first half and sank his first three jumpers in the third quarter. Ahead 71-69 with 4:54 left in the period, the Wizards took command with a 12-1 run for an 84-70 lead. The margin never dipped back into single digits over the 15 minutes while the lead ballooned to 21 at 97-76 on Al Harrington’s 3-pointer with 9:01 remaining.
Forward Khris Middleton and guard Ramon Sessions each had 20 points for the shorthanded Bucks, who have lost 15 of 17 games. Milwaukee (15-65) never led by more than two points and committed 20 turnovers.
With the loss, Milwaukee will finish the regular season at least tied for the NBA’s worst record. Philadelphia remains two games ahead of the Bucks at 17-63.
Milwaukee only had eight available players against Washington. Guard Brandon Knight (sore right hip) was a last second scratch one night after scoring 24 points in the Bucks 119-116 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers. Milwaukee has not won consecutive games all season.
The Wizards regained sole possession of sixth place on Friday. Washington won 96-86 at the Orlando Magic while the Bobcats fell to the Boston Celtics.
Forward Trevor Ariza scored 13 points and forward Trevor Booker had 11 for the Wizards. Harrington tacked on 12 points off the bench.
Washington lost its previous two home games, but now owns identical 21-19 home and away records.
The Wizards won the season series 3-1. Milwaukee’s lone victory, 109-105 in overtime at Washington, came Dec. 6.
The Wizards made eight 3-pointers after shooting a combined 6 of 50 from beyond the arc over their last three games. Ariza missed all 11 of his tries in that span, but went 2-for-4 against Milwaukee.
Forward Jeff Adrien had 11 points and 10 rebounds for the Bucks.
The Wizards committed only two turnovers in the first half and entered halftime leading 55-52 before the crowd of 17,278.
NOTES: Washington rested PF Nene, who scored a team-high 17 points in Friday’s victory over the Orlando Magic. Nene played in two games since returning from a knee injury that caused him to miss 21 games. … Both teams shot exactly 50 percent from the field in the first half. … Milwaukee last won consecutive games on March 17-19, 2013. … Wes Unseld, Moses Malone, Christian Laettner and Dave Bing were among the former Bullets and Wizards to return for fan appreciation night. … Milwaukee stays on the road to face the Toronto Raptors on Monday. Washington plays its final home game of the season Monday against the Miami Heat.
