Beal, Westbook lift Wizards as Nets wilt
Wizards coach Scott Brooks envisioned something like this when Washington acquired Russell Westbrook from Houston for John Wall and a draft pick.
It took more time than expected because of a nagging injury, but maybe things are starting to look up for the team with the worst record in the NBA.
At least for a night, they sure did.
Bradley Beal and Westbrook hit three-pointers in a wild 3.8-second sequence in the final seconds to help the Wizards stun Kevin Durant and the Brooklyn Nets 149-146 on Sunday night.
The Nets blew an 18-point first quarter lead, built a fourth-quarter lead back up to 10, then blew that lead, too. Brooklyn had an opportunity to take the lead on a clean look at a last-second layup, but it was only fitting they blew that look, too.
Westbrook had 41 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists, and NBA scoring leader Beal had 37 points. In the fourth quarter, Beal had 22 points and Westbrook had 15. Durant, second in the NBA in scoring, also had 37 points.
“Russell willed this game,” Brooks said about Westbrook, who has only played in 10 of 16 games due to a quad injury.
“This is what he does. He can do it every night. He doesn’t shoot the ball well every night but he doesn’t take nights out.”
With Washington down 146-141, Beal hit a threepointer with 8.1 seconds left. Garrison Matthews deflected Joe Harris’ inbounds pass to Westbrook and he made a three with 4.3 seconds left for a 147-146 lead.
“It was a dumb mistake on my part,” Harris said about the inbounds pass that led to the go-ahead basket.
It was epic collapse from a team hoping to contend for an NBA title but the Nets did get a great look to force overtime.
James Harden sat out because of a thigh contusion, the first game he has missed since being traded from Houston to Brooklyn on Jan. 13.
“It’s not looking great defensively for our team, giving up that many points,” Durant said after Washington shot 51.9% for the game.
Westbrook has set season scoring highs in consecutive games. He entered the game averaging 18.9 points, his lowest output since his second season in 2009-10.
MONDAY’S GAME
Lakers 107, Hawks 99: Anthony Davis scored 25 points and LeBron James dominated down the stretch as Los Angeles closed out a nearly two-week trip with a win at Atlanta.
The Lakers took control with a 16-0 run bookended around the end of the third quarter and the beginning of the fourth.
Atlanta rallied, closing to 98-97 on Trae Young's 3-pointer. But James responded with a 3 of his own from the top of the key, came up with a huge block at the other end on Clint Capela, and finished off the Hawks with a layup off a pass Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. James tacked on four straight free throws.