Bradley Beal drives Wizards past Magic
FILE — Bradley Beal #3 and Russell Westbrook #4 of the Washington Wizards look on against the Utah Jazz during the second half at Capital One Arena on March 18, 2021 in Washington, Patrick Smith/Getty Images/AFP
Bradley Beal scored 26 points on 11-of-19 shooting to lead the Washington Wizards to a 131-116 victory over the Magic in Orlando on Wednesday night.
Beal, who also had five assists, returned to the Wizards’ lineup after missing the previous five games with a right hip contusion. Washington snapped a four-game losing streak and a six-game skid against the Magic, who lost their third in a row.
Article continues after this advertisementRussell Westbrook, who finished with 23 points, 15 assists and 14 rebounds, recorded his 20th triple-double of the season and his fifth in the past six games.
BRODIE WENT OFF!
2️⃣3️⃣ PTS, 1️⃣4️⃣ REBS, 1️⃣5️⃣ ASTS
8-11 FG, 3-3 3PT, 4-4 FT#WizMagic | @russwest44 pic.twitter.com/kwg0KFiipd— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) April 8, 2021
Washington scored 73 points in the first half and shot 61.9 percent from the field, including 11-of-15 from 3 point range. The Wizards shot 57.6 percent (49-for-85) for the game including 52.8 percent (19-for-36) from long distance.
Article continues after this advertisementTerrence Ross led Orlando with 24 points on 9-for-16 shooting and helped the Magic cut their deficit to 107-103 with 8:04 left in the fourth. The Wizards would use a 12-1 run later in the quarter to open up a 17-point lead with 3:33 left and seal the outcome.
Davis Bertans was still on a minutes restriction according to Wizards coach Scott Brooks, but finished with 22 points on 6-for-11 shooting — all from 3-point range — in just under 20 minutes.
Robin Lopez also had 19 points off the bench on 9-of-11 shooting while Deni Avdija totaled 16 points and five rebounds.
Rui Hachimura (right shoulder tightness) also returned after a two-game absence and totaled nine points, seven rebounds and three steals. Daniel Gafford sat out for the fifth consecutive game with a right ankle sprain.
Bradley Beal returned to action with 26 points in 30-plus minutes! 🐼#WizMagic | @RealDealBeal23 pic.twitter.com/tLDpQfUTQj
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) April 8, 2021
Ross was one of six Magic players who scored in double figures. Mo Bamba finished with 19 points and eight rebounds as Orlando shot 47.3 percent (44-for-93) and 38.7 percent (12-for-31) from 3-point range.
Wendell Carter Jr. had 15 points and R.J. Hampton had 14 points and six rebounds.
Michael Carter-Williams (non-Covid illness) and Cole Anthony (ribs) each returned to action and each finished with 13 points.
Khem Birch (non-Covid illness) also returned and played over 16 minutes, but did not score. Otto Porter Jr. (left foot), Gary Harris (strained left abductor), Karim Mane (hamstring) remained out.
