Wall powers Wizards to win
Amid all of his team’s losses and infighting and roster flux, John Wall showed just how well he’s capable of playing, producing 40 points and 14 assists to lead the host Washington Wizards past a sluggish LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers, 128-110 Sunday night.
A day after he and Lonzo Ball each registered a triple-double in a win at Charlotte, James was limited to a season-low 13 points, along with six rebounds and three assists, while making just 5 of 16 shots.
The four-time NBA MVP sat out the fourth quarter.
The Wizards emphatically ended a four-game losing streak, going up by as many as 18 in the first quarter and 27 in the third.
They took full advantage of an opponent playing on a second consecutive night, although James and the Lakers had been 5-1 in the second half of back-to-back sets this season.
The Lakers opened Sunday’s game by going 5 for 19, 0 for 8 on 3s. Washington, meanwhile, made its first five shots and 13 of its first 18, taking a 26-8 lead on Wall’s layup.
Wall’s play was often spectacular, including one no-look, through-the-legs pass to Sam Dekker for an easy bucket.
The All-Star point guard ended the first half with a step-back baseline rainbow jumper over 7-foot-1 center Tyson Chandler to make it 71-51.
Wall turned and slapped palms with a couple of front-row folks, then spread his arms wide and basked in the ovation.
By then, Wall already had 28 points, outscoring LA’s five starters – James, Ball, Chandler, Kyle Kuzma and Josh Hart – by six.
76ers 128, Cavaliers 105: Ben Simmons had 22 points, 11 rebounds and 14 assists for his third tripledouble of the season, Joel Embiid scored 24 points and Philadelphia won at Cleveland. Jimmy Butler scored 19 points after missing two games — both losses with a strained groin. Landry Shamet added 16 points for Philadelphia, J.J. Redick had 14 points and Wilson Chandler 11.
Nets 144, Hawks 127: D’Angelo Russell scored 32 points, Rondae HollisJefferson had 18 and host Brooklyn beat Atlanta for its fifth straight victory. Joe Harris had 16 points and Spencer Dinwiddie added 15. The Nets have won five straight for the first time since March 25-April 2, 2015. John Collins scored 29 points and Dewayne Dedmon had 24 points and 12 rebounds for the Hawks. The have lost three straight and seven of eight.
Pacers 110, Knicks 99: Victor Oladipo scored 26 points, Myles Turner had 24 and host Indiana beat New York for its seventh straight victory.
Oladipo added eight rebounds and seven assists, while Turner finished with six rebounds and two blocks. He also halted the Knicks’ momentum on a fast break in the fourth quarter, sprinting across the court to disrupt Emmanuel Mudiay’s layup attempt that would have cut the Pacers’ lead to four points late in the game.
Kings 120, Mavericks 113: Buddy Hield and De'Aaron Fox each scored 28 points and Sacramento ended Dallas’ 11-game home winning streak.