Wizards 109, Raptors 92
WASHINGTON -- Bradley Beal's return to action included scoring 24 points and matching his career-high with six 3-pointers, and John Wall posted his 12th double-double of the season as the Washington Wizards continued their winning ways at home with a 109-92 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Sunday night.
Wall tallied 18 points and 10 assists while Emeka Okafor had 19 points and 10 rebounds for the Wizards, who won their seventh straight at home, their longest streak since winning 10 consecutive during the 2006-07 season. After opening the season with a 4-28 record, Washington (27-46) moved into a tie with Toronto (27-46) for 10th place in the Eastern Conference.
Coming off his career-best performance, Jonas Valanciunas scored 16 of his 18 points in the first half and had 10 rebounds for the Raptors. Toronto, which shot 39.5 percent from the field, has lost seven of its last eight games.
After the Wizards scored the final four points of the second quarter for a 60-50 halftime lead, Okafor had eight of Washington's first 10 in the third, extending the advantage to 68-52. After the Raptors trimmed the lead in half at 70-62, Washington responded with five straight 3-point plays.
Beal, who missed the last five games with a sprained left ankle, drained three straight 3-pointers before the crowd of 14,360. After Martell Webster's conventional 3-point play on a dunk, the Wizards rookie guard sank his fourth shot from beyond the arc in the quarter.
Washington led 86-66 late in the third quarter, but much of that cushion evaporated following a 20-6 spurt. Amir Johnson's tip-in pulled the Raptors tight at 92-86, but they would get no closer. The Wizards jumped back in front by double figures at 102-90 on Beal's sixth 3-pointer with 3:46 remaining.
The former University of Florida product finished 6 of 9 from beyond the arc. He made 6 of 7 3-pointers against the Sacramento Kings on January 16.
With reserves Kevin Seraphin, Trevor Ariza and Jan Vesely scoring 30 points, the Wizards led 60-50 at halftime.
The No. 6 overall selection in the 2011 NBA Draft, Vesely had nine points, matching his total for the previous 13 games. Seraphin had 11 of his 13 points in the opening half. Ariza finished with 10.
DeMar DeRozen and Kyle Lowry each scored 15 points for the Raptors.
NOTES: The Wizards entered the night 15-4 since Wall returned from a knee injury on Jan. 12. ... Beal had missed 11 of the previous 13 games. ... Valanciunas set career highs with 13 rebounds and four blocks while scoring 18 points in Friday's win over the Detroit Pistons. ... Nene (sore right knee) missed his fourth straight game for the Wizards. The Brazilian big man is fourth on the team in scoring (12.9 points per game), second in rebounds (6.9 per game) and field goal percentage (.480). ... The Wizards won 90-84 at Toronto on Feb. 25, less than a week after the Raptors triumphed in Washington 96-88. The fourth and final meeting comes Wednesday in Toronto. ... The Raptors return home to host the Detroit Pistons on Monday. Washington wraps up its brief two-game homestand Tuesday against the Chicago Bulls.
