Field Level Media
Jan 6, 2018
Guards John Wall and Bradley Beal took turns torching the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night, combining for 59 points as the Washington Wizards notched a 102-100 win at FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.
Beal tallied 34 points on just 18 shot attempts, hitting the 30-point mark for the seventh time this year. He also chipped in five assists. Wall needed only 16 shot attempts to score 25 points, and he added nine assists as Washington (23-16) stayed atop the Southeast Division.
Markieff Morris and reserve forward Mike Scott added 12 and 10 points, respectively, for the Wizards, with Morris hauling in 17 rebounds for a double-double. Washington won its fourth consecutive game and sixth in its past seven despite shooting 39.3 percent from the field.
Tyreke Evans scored 26 points and dished out seven assists to pace Memphis (12-27). Center Marc Gasol contributed 17 points, 11 rebounds, five blocks and five assists. Mario Chalmers added 13 points and forward JaMychal Green was good for 11.
Green helped inject some late-game drama into the proceedings by swishing a corner 3-pointer with 1:19 left, capping a 7-0 run that pulled the Grizzlies within 97-94. Memphis actually could have cut the deficit to one, but Chalmers forced a jumper in traffic that missed.
Marcin Gortat sank a foul shot with 30.6 seconds remaining to restore a two-possession lead for the Wizards. Evans drilled a line-drive 3-pointer with 17.9 seconds left that brought the Grizzlies within 98-97.
Beal converted two foul shots with 13.8 ticks on the clock to make it a three-point game. Evans' potential game-tying 3-point try was long, and Morris ended the suspense by hitting two foul shots with 3.5 seconds remaining.
Memphis led 17-12 just over 6 1/2 minutes into the game when Gasol stroked a trey, but Washington stormed back and opened up a 33-24 advantage after the first quarter. The Wizards expanded the lead to 58-50 at the half and 87-72 following three quarters before the Grizzles nearly stole the game with their late surge.
--Field Level Media