Bradley Beal scored 43 points and Russell Westbrook had 35 to lift the Washington Wizards to an upset 131-122 home win over the league-leading Utah Jazz on Thursday night.
The Wizards, a humble 13th in the Eastern Conference, ended a five-game losing streak and won their first against Utah in 10, with Westbrook completing a triple-double with 15 rebounds and 13 assists.
Donovan Mitchell scored 42 points and Joe Ingles 34 for the Western Conference-leading Jazz, who still have the best record in the NBA at 29-11, but have now lost four of six games this month.
Washington bounced out to lead 64-40 just before half-time and Utah drew no closer than 13 points behind in the second half.
😤 35 PTS, 15 REB, 13 AST😤 13th triple-double of season😤 159th triple-double of career@russwest44 was ACTIVE in the @WashWizards victory vs. Utah! #DCAboveAll pic.twitter.com/UBq5fyvuE6 — NBA (@NBA) March 19, 2021
LeBron James had 37 points, eight rebounds and six assists to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 116-105 victory over the visiting Charlotte Hornets.
LA returned to second place in the West with a fourth straight win, with Dennis Schroder ending with 22 points and seven assists.
LaMelo Ball scored 26 points and had seven assists for the Hornets, who have lost successive games for the first time since February.
He's a blur ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/hIy5wDxorI — Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) March 19, 2021
The New York Knicks scored a thrilling 94-93 win at home to the Orlando Magic, with Julius Randle completing his third triple-double of the season.
Randle had 18 points, 17 assists and 10 rebounds, while Alex Burks scored 21 points and Reggie Bullock 20 as the Knicks improved their record to 21-21.
Evan Fournier scored 23 points but spilled the ball to the Knicks on Orlando's final possession as the visitors pushed for victory, instead slumping to their ninth straight loss.
Home victories feel even better 🗽 Julius: 18 PTS | 10 REB | 17 ASTRJ: 17 PTS | 9 REBAB: 21 PTS | 10 REBFrank: 13 PTS | 1 STLBull: 20 PTS (6 3PT) pic.twitter.com/mV1lLaNels — NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) March 19, 2021
In other games, the Portland Trail Blazers won 101-93 at home to the New Orleans Pelicans, the Atlanta Hawks comfortably defeated the visiting Oklahoma City Thunder 116-93, and the Minnesota Timberwolves won narrowly at the Phoenix Suns 123-119.
