Scott scores 18 in Wizards’ win over short-handed Magic
Washington Wizards forward Mike Scott (30) drives past Orlando Magic forward Marreese Speights (5) for a shot during the second half of an NBA basketball game. AP
WASHINGTON — One night after a humiliating defeat, the Washington Wizards set a season high for points and rolled to an easy win.
Mike Scott scored 18 points, Otto Porter Jr. and Bradley Beal each had 17, and the Wizards beat Orlando 130-103 on Saturday (Sunday Manila time) to hand the injury-ravaged Magic their eighth straight loss.
Seven players scored in double figures as Washington rebounded from a 35-point rout at Brooklyn on Friday. Markieff Morris and Kelly Oubre had 16 points apiece. John Wall added 10 points and 13 assists.
Wizards coach Scott Brooks had no simple explanation for the two games.
“Welcome to the world of coaching,” he said. “(Friday) night’s game was a horrible game. There was nothing positive about it.”
Orlando, which has lost 19 of 22, was led by Elfrid Payton’s career-high 30 points.
Magic center Nikola Vucevic broke his left index finger with about seven minutes remaining in the first quarter and will be out indefinitely. Vucevic joins three of Orlando’s opening-night starters on the sideline with injuries. Evan Fournier, Aaron Gordon and Terrence Ross are also hurt.
Vucevic said he got tangled up with Washington center Ian Mahinmi.
“I tried to get out,” Vucevic said. “As I went away I think he might (have) pulled my finger, I’m not sure. I heard it pop when it happened.”
Washington took the lead late in the first quarter and was up 37-29 after one. The Wizards led 72-48 at halftime.
