Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) knocks the ball away from San Antonio Spurs guard Patty Mills (8), from Australia, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2015, in Washington. The Wizards won 101-93. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
WASHINGTON–The Washington Wizards ended nearly a decade of frustration on Tuesday with a 101-93 NBA triumph over San Antonio, their first win over the Spurs since 2005.
John Wall scored 25 points and handed out eight assists for the Wizards, who had lost 17 straight encounters against the Texas team.
Wall, drafted first overall in 2010, was a personal 0-7 against the Spurs. Washington’s last win over San Antonio came on November 12, 2005.
French big man Kevin Seraphin scored 11 of his season-high 17 points in the fourth quarter for the Wizards.
Bradley Beal and Paul Pierce added 13 points apiece for the hosts, and Marcin Gortat pulled down 11 rebounds.
French point guard Tony Parker led the reigning NBA champion Spurs with 14 points. Tim Duncan added 11 points and 12 rebounds for his first double-double since December.
A day after the Spurs received a warm welcome at the White House from US President Barack Obama, in honor of their fifth NBA title, the Wizards were less hospitable.
Wall got off to a hot start, netting 12 points on five shots in the first quarter. The Wizards hit five of six from three-point range to seize a 31-24 lead.
The Spurs trailed until Boris Diaw’s hook shot early in the fourth quarter gave them a 76-75 advantage, and it was a back-and-forth battle early in the final period.
Seraphin’s layup with 5:44 remaining put the Wizards ahead for good with the 10th lead change of the quarter.
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