Beal, defense lead Wizards to win over Hawks
Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2), center, goes to the basket against Atlanta Hawks forward John Collins (20) and guard Dennis Schroder (17). AP
WASHINGTON — Bradley Beal scored 19 points, and the Washington Wizards forced the Atlanta Hawks into a season-worst 24 turnovers in a 113-94 victory on Saturday (Sunday Manila time).
Markieff Morris scored 18 points in his best game offensive game since returning from sports hernia surgery earlier this month, and Kelly Oubre added 18 off the bench in Washington’s second straight win.
The Wizards have held visiting opponents under 100 points in consecutive home games after failing to keep any team under 110 in their first five at Capital One Arena.
Taurean Prince scored 19 points and Marco Belinelli had 15 for Atlanta, which failed to keep it close despite turning Washington’s season-high 23 turnovers into 37 points.
Washington coach Scott Brooks rested his starters the entire fourth quarter against a rebuilding Hawks team that bears little resemblance to the one that lost a first-round playoff series to the Wizards last season.
It was an 11-point game before Washington began the fourth on an 18-2 run to end the Hawks’ hopes. Oubre scored six points in that stretch, including two field goals during a single possession that was extended by Atlanta’s two fouls and three offensive rebounds.
TIP-INS:
Hawks: Have allowed at least 110 points in seven consecutive games. … Attempted 19 3-pointers in the first half, making eight. … F Mike Muscala (ankle) missed his fourth straight game.
Wizards: Began the game 0 for 9 from beyond the arc before Morris’ 3-pointer cut it to 37-36 with 4:08 left in the first half. Beal followed with another 3 to give the Wizards the lead for good. … G John Wall picked up his fourth foul with 4:34 left in the third quarter, but with the game out of reach did not have to return.
A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE
Brooks raved about the atmosphere at the arena the Wizards share with the Capitals after attending Washington’s 4-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday night. He admitted he didn’t understand all the nuances of hockey.
“To me, it was a lot of turnovers,” he quipped.
