NBA News Wire
Wizards 101, Spurs 93
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 John Wall scored 25 points and reserve center Kevin Seraphin dominated the fourth quarter as the Washington Wizards snapped a 17-game losing streak to the San Antonio Spurs with a 101-93 win on Tuesday night.
Seraphin scored 11 of his 17 points in the final period including nine straight for the Wizards (26-12). The lead changed sides seven times in the fourth quarter before Seraphin’s putback put Washington ahead for good at 88-87 with 5:44 remaining.
Washington’s previous win over San Antonio took place Nov. 12, 2005. None of the current Wizards played in that game, which came five seasons before Wall entered the NBA as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2010 draft.
Guard Tony Parker paced five double-digit scorers with 14 points for the Spurs (23-16). Forward Tim Duncan had 11 points and 12 rebounds. San Antonio shot 39.6 percent from the field. Despite the loss, the Spurs have won four of six games.
Seraphin made 6 of 8 field-goal attempts. His final basket capped a 7-0 run after San Antonio pulled closer at 92-89 with three minutes remaining.
Returning home after 31-point loss at the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday, Washington made 21 of 24 free throws and outrebounded San Antonio 48-34. Guard Bradley Beal and forward Paul Pierce each scored 13 points. Center Marcin Gortat had 11 rebounds and forward Nene grabbed 10.
The Spurs pulled away in the final minutes to defeat the Wizards 101-92 at home on Jan. 3 despite playing without injured starters Parker and forward Kawhi Leonard, who remains sidelined.
Wall scored 16 points on 6 of 8 shooting in the first half and the Wizards made all 10 of their free throws for a 51-48 halftime lead.
Washington opened the third quarter with an 8-0 run for their largest lead at 59-48, but the Spurs rallied and entered the final period only down 75-72.
Duncan recorded his 815th career double-double, passing former Utah Jazz star Karl Malone for fifth place on the NBA’s all-time list.
NOTES: Spurs F Kawhi Leonard (hand) and G Marco Belinelli (groin strain) did not play. Leonard has missed 16 of the last 18 games. Coach Gregg Popovich said the MVP of the 2014 NBA Finals is “getting a little bit more confident with his hand,” but isn’t ready for contact just yet. “We’re a little bit afraid of that right now.” … The Wizards entered 20-1 when holding opponents below 100 points this season. … The Wizards play at the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday. G John Wall defeated Bulls star Derrick Rose for the first time in six attempts in Friday’s 102-86 home victory. … San Antonio wraps up its three-game road trip on Wednesday night against the Charlotte Hornets.
