John Wall is coming off the month of December where he averaged 22.6 points and 11.7 assists in 16 games played. The All-Star point guard carried that into the new year as he finished the game with 24 points and 13 assists to lead the Washington Wizards past the Orlando Magic, 103-91.
The Magic came into this game with a record of 13-5 in their last 18 games, but the Wizards continued their dominance against their fellow Southeastern division foe, winning their 11th straight over the youthful Orlando squad. This also the third win the Wizards have gathered this season against the Magic.
This was Wall’s eighth straight game with a double-double, five of which Wall scored at least 20 plus points. Otto Porter finished the game with 20 points and 11 rebounds, his third straight game reaching the 20-point mark. Marcin Gortat added a double-double of his own, with 10 points and 14 rebounds. The Wizards finished the game with six players in double figure scoring.
Washington’s bench was incredible tonight. Ramon Sessions led the second unit with 13 points, five rebounds and four assists, while Kris Humphries added 11 points, all in the fourth quarter. The rookie Kelly Oubre Jr. finished with seven points and five rebounds in 21 minutes of play.
Victor Oladipo came off the bench to lead the Magic with 20 points, five assists and four steals. Nikola Vucevic was held to only 14 points and seven rebounds. Tobias Harris added a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
Orlando would get off to a quick 9-2 lead, but the Wizards would respond with a 10-0 run to give them a lead that would hold up throughout the rest of the first quarter. Both teams would trade leads in the second quarter, but the Wizards would head into halftime with a 48-43 lead.
Washington would carry the momentum with a 7-0 run to start the second half, extending the Wizards lead to 12. Orlando didn’t back down as they would take a 70-69 lead with 1:35 left in the quarter on an Evan Fournier three-pointer.
The game was tied at 76 with 9:04 left in regulation, but the Wizards would start to pull away as they went on a 15-3 run, all of which came from either John Wall or Kris Humphries. Wall would score or assist on 22 of the Wizards 31 fourth quarter points, completely taking over when the game was on the line.
Neither team shot particularly well from behind the arc, but the Wizards beat the Magic on the boards 46-to-39 and won the turnover battle 15-to-9. Washington took advantage of their 11 steals and would get out in transition to the tune of 24 fast break points.
The Magic continue their road trip as they have a quick turnaround against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday night. The Wizards stay at home to host the Miami Heat on Sunday.