Knicks Fall Asleep In Second Half, Lose To Wizards
WASHINGTON (CBSNewYork/AP) — John Wall had 24 points and 10 assists, and the Washington Wizards rallied from an 18-point, second-quarter deficit to beat the New York Knicks 99-89 on Saturday night for their fourth straight victory.
Marcin Gortat added 15 points and 11 rebounds, while Markieff Morris added 17 points as all five Washington starters scored in double figures.
It was the largest comeback win of the season for the Wizards, who began Saturday 10th in the Eastern Conference, but just 1 1/2 games out of the eighth and final playoff spot.
Wall, who was seeking his third straight triple-double, fell short with two rebounds, but committed just one turnover after totaling 17 in his last two games.
Kristaps Porzingis and Carmelo Anthony led the Knicks with 20 points apiece. Anthony, who averaged 35 in the teams' first two meetings, scored just 12 after the first quarter.
The Wizards' winning streak — coming after a five-game skid — matches their season high. They are 9-1 in their last 10 home games.
Washington trailed 53-43 at halftime, but Gortat (13 second-half points) scored six points during a 9-0 run to open the third quarter.
With the Wizards trailing 60-54, Morris' alley-oop dunk and Wall's 3-pointer started a 20-3 run and Washington led 76-66 after three.
New York, which shot 30.7 percent in the second half, got within 89-85 on Anthony's 3-pointer with 4:20 left, but the Wizards scored seven straight points.
The Knicks shot 58.3 percent (14 of 24) in the first quarter and led 46-28 with 4:44 left in the first half before Wall sparked a 12-2 run.
TIP-INS
Knicks: Finished their season-high, six-game road trip 2-4. . Jose Calderon came up limping after hitting a 3-pointer late in the first half. He soon left the game, but returned to start the third quarter and finished with 10 points.
Wizards: Won the season series 2-1. . Guard Bradley Beal, who had missed four of the last six games due to a pelvic sprain, was in the starting lineup and scored 10 points. ... Guard/forward Alan Anderson (left ankle) returned after missing the last two games.
UP NEXT
Knicks: Host Sacramento on Sunday night.
Wizards: Visit Atlanta on Monday night.
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