Porter, Wall Lead Wizards Past Mavericks, 114-111
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DALLAS (AP) — Otto Porter scored a career-high 28 points, John Wall had 26 points and 16 assists and the Washington Wizards ended an 11-game losing streak against the Dallas Mavericks with a 114-111 victory Saturday night.
Washington had not beaten Dallas since Oct. 27, 2009. The Wizards were playing their second straight game without Bradley Beal. The team announced before the game that Beal would be sidelined for at least two weeks with a right leg injury. Beal is the team's second-leading scorer with 19.8 points per game.
Porter more than picked up the slack, scoring 17 points during Washington's 39-point third quarter as the Wizards built a 21-point lead. He made seven of eight shots during the period, including three 3-pointers.
Wesley Matthews led the Mavericks with 28 points, including six 3-pointers. Matthews hit 10 3s last Sunday in Dallas' 116-104 win in Washington.
The Mavericks closed the game on a 19-8 rally, pulling within 112-111 on J.J. Barea's two free throws with 4.4 seconds to go. After Wall made a pair with 3.7 seconds left, Dirk Nowitzki's high-arcing 3-pointer grazed the front rim at the buzzer.
Deron Williams sat out for the Mavericks with a stomach illness. Williams is second on the team with 15.3 points per game and leads the team in assists.
The Mavericks split their point guard minutes between Raymond Felton, Barea and Devin Harris. Barea had 21 points, 13 in the fourth quarter, and Felton had 10 points, 11 assists and 11 rebounds.
Marcin Gortat had 14 points and 12 rebounds for Washington. Ramon Sessions scored 17 points off the bench.
Playing against the league's worst team at defending the 3-point shot, Dallas wasted no time in attacking from long range. The Mavericks hit four 3-pointers in the first six minutes of the game.
But while Dallas finished with 14 3s for the game, the Wizards had 14 as well for a season high.
TIP-INS
With his 3-pointer with 8:39 remaining in the first quarter, Nowitzki moved past Jason Richardson for 16th all-time in 3-point shots. Nowitzki has 1,609 3s in his career. Next on the list is his longtime teammate and friend Steve Nash with 1,685. . Washington's third-quarter point total matched its best quarter of the season. . Porter's previous career high was 23 points against Atlanta earlier this year. . Wall's assist total was a season high.
UP NEXT
Wizards: Visit Memphis on Monday.
Mavericks: Host Phoenix on Monday.
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