The Sports Xchange
Dec 23, 2017
WASHINGTON - Mike Scott paced a balanced scoring attack with 18 points and the unpredictable Washington Wizards returned to their winning ways with a 130-103 rout of the Orlando Magic on Saturday night.
Returning home after Friday's stunning 119-84 road debacle against the Brooklyn Nets, the Wizards (18-15) led 72-48 at halftime and pushed the margin to 29 in the second half en route to scoring their most points in any game this season.
Bradley Beal and Otto Porter each scored 17 points while Markieff Morris had 16. John Wall finished with 10 points and 13 assists in the Wizards' final game before their Christmas Day matchup with the Boston Celtics. Washington has won four of six games.
Orlando entered the game without several key contributors and then lost center Nikola Vucevic to a fractured left index finger midway through the first quarter. The team announced he will be sidelined indefinitely.
Leading scorers Evan Fournier (sprained right ankle) and Aaron Gordon (strained right calf) did not play.
Elfrid Payton scored a career-high 30 points and added 10 assists for the shorthanded Magic (11-23), who have lost eight in a row.
The loss in Brooklyn was Washington's latest against a team with a losing record. Orlando offered a comparable situation, but the Wizards led 37-29 after the first quarter and outscored the Magic 35-19 in the second quarter. Washington is 9-9 against teams under .500.
Kelly Oubre Jr. also had 16 points and Jodie Meeks 10 for the Wizards, who were 16 of 30 from beyond the 3-point arc and 20 of 23 from the foul line. Washington shot 61.9 percent from the field in the first half and finished at 54.7.
Scott, a free-agent addition this offseason, hit 7 of 8 shots. The combo forward is averaging 14.9 points and shooting 71.6 percent (63 of 88) since Dec. 5.
Vucevic averages 17.8 points and 9.6 rebounds. Without its top big man, Orlando was outrebounded 48-29.
Mario Hezonja scored 16 points, Jonathon Simmons added 14 and Wes Iwundu had 12 for the Magic. Orlando pulled within 100-85 on two Payton free throws with 11:40 remaining, but would get no closer.
NOTES: Washington has won 11 of its last 12 home games against Orlando. ... F Jonathan Isaac (sore right ankle), the Magic's first-round pick, and F Terrence Ross (sprained right MCL) also sat out for Orlando. ... Orlando is off until Tuesday when it travels in state to face the Miami Heat. The Magic won their season opener over the Heat 116-109 on Oct. 18. ... Washington is 4-1 in the second game of back-to-back sets this season, but 1-4 in the first game.