Beal’s 35 lead Wizards past Celtics
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Boston Celtics were expected to challenge for a berth in the NBA Finals. However, they look nothing like a contender when they play the lowly Washington Wizards.
The Celtics are a .500 squad at 13-13 after falling to the Wizards for the second time in as many meetings this season, 104-91. NBA scoring leader Bradley Beal lit up Boston for 35 points after sitting out Friday’s loss to New York. He appeared rejuvenated as he hit 10 of 18 from the field, converted four 3-pointers and made all 11 of his free throws.
Russell Westbrook came close to a triple-double, providing 13 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds as Washington won for only the seventh time in 24 games.
Kemba Walker and Jalen Brown each scored 25 points for Boston, which trailed by 24 in the third quarter and lost for the 10th time in their last 16 games.
Checking out Sunday’s other NBA action:
— Anthony Davis will undergo an MRI today after re-aggravating his sore right Achilles in the first half of the Lakers’ 122-105 loss to the Nuggets. Nuggets center Nikola Jokic contributed 23 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists in his sixth triple-double of the season. LeBron James furnished 22 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists as the Lakers’ seven-game win streak was halted.
— Lou Williams scored a season-high 30 points and had 10 assists in his first start of the season to carry the Clippers’ 128-11 win over the Cavaliers. Marcus Morris added a season-best 23 points off the bench as Los Angeles won comfortably despite playing without stars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.
— Devin Booker scored 27 points and the Suns picked up their sixth straight victory by whipping the Magic, 109-90. Mikal Bridges finished with 21 points and Phoenix never trailed after jumping out to a 14-2 lead.
— Justin Jackson furnished a season-high 22 points and hit a critical 3-pointer in the final minute to help the Thunder top the Bucks, 114-109. Milwaukee forward Giannis Antetokounmpo had 24 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists for his fourth triple-double of the season.
— Damian Lillard’s 34 points and 11 assists sent the Trail Blazers to their fourth win in a row, 121-118 against the Mavericks. Dallas guard Luka Doncic finished with 44 points, nine assists and seven rebounds, one game after scoring a career-high 46 points.
— The Spurs outlasted the short-handed Charlotte Hornets, 122-110 behind Dejounte Murray’s 26 points and 12 rebounds. Derrick White scored 12 of his season-high 25 points in the fourth quarter, helping San Antonio to its fifth win in six games.
— Jonas Valanciunas scored a season-high 25 points and had 12 rebounds as the Grizzlies won for just the second time in their last seven games, 124-110 versus the Kings. Dillon Brooks delivered 22 points for Memphis and Ja Morant added 16 with 10 assists despite a rough shooting night.
— Mason Plumlee recorded his first career triple-double by providing 17 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in the Pistons’ 123-112 victory against the Pelicans. Josh Jackson had a team-high 21 points went 17 of 35 from beyond the arc in spoiling Stan Van Gundy’s return to Motown.
— The Timberwolves ended a four-game losing streak as Karl-Anthony Towns scored seven of his 20 points late in the fourth quarter of a 116-112 win over the Raptors. Malik Beasley also scored 20 points and Anthony Edwards added 18 for Minnesota, which shot 69% in the second half.
