Washington @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Mar 26, 2019 ) Washington 106, L.A. Lakers 124

Anthony Davis can now put his return to New Orleans behind him and concentrate on helping the Los Angeles Lakers win their 10th straight game when they host the Washington Wizards on Friday. Davis scored a season-best 41 points in the return engagement and also had nine rebounds and three steals as the Lakers posted a 114-110 win over the Pelicans on Wednesday.

Davis had a deep appreciation for the victory despite hearing lots of jeers and was pleased his current team prevailed over his former club's strong effort. "We showed our resiliency and were able to bounce back and get the win," Davis said in a postgame television interview. "We are finding ways to win. We are competing at a high level. I love our team. We got to make sure we keep it going." Washington ended a two-game slide with a 140-132 road victory over the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night. Star shooting guard Bradley Beal scored 35 points and has topped 30 nine times this season.

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, NBATV, NBCS Washington, Spectrum SportsNet (Los Angeles)

ABOUT THE WIZARDS (6-10): After seeing his high-scoring club average just 105 points in consecutive losses to the Sacramento Kings and Denver Nuggets, Washington coach Scott Brooks called a breakfast meeting on Wednesday morning to spark his club and the tactic worked. "It's the first time he's done it all year," Beal told reporters. "It was definitely needed for everybody. It was a point of emphasis on just winning games and what it takes to win games. He did a good job of teaching and breaking down what he expects from everyone. That's what we needed. We got a good result." Center Thomas Bryant also stood out with 23 points (on 9-of-11 shooting), nine rebounds and five assists.

ABOUT THE LAKERS (16-2): Forward LeBron James contributed 29 points and 11 assists in the win over the New Orleans and also became just the fourth player in NBA history to exceed 33,000 career points. James, who has 33,008 points, trails only leader Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38,387) Karl Malone (36,928) and Kobe Bryant (33,643) on the scoring ledger. "I think I've been blessed to play the game I love and been fortunate to play with great teammates and great coaches and for three great organizations so far in my career," James said afterward. "... Every night I step on the floor, I try to be the basketball player I can be."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Wizards won seven of the past 10 meetings.

2. Washington veteran SG CJ Miles (wrist) was injured during Tuesday's game against Denver and underwent an MRI exam to determine the severity.

3. Los Angeles F Kyle Kuzma made all four 3-point attempts while scoring 16 points against New Orleans.

PREDICTION: Lakers 133, Wizards 122