WASHINGTON (AP) – John Wall was at his attacking best: 40 points and 14 assists; one no-look, through-the-legs assist; one buzzer-beating rainbow step-back jumper.
LeBron James was at his sluggish worst: a season-low 13 points on 5-of-16 shooting.
So it made sense that Wall’s reeling and undermanned Washington Wizards, amid so much losing and infighting and roster flux, would dominate James and his rising Los Angeles Lakers throughout a 128-110 victory Sunday night.
“We’re a team that’s built on energy and depth,” James said. “We didn’t have either tonight.”
A day after he and Lonzo Ball each registered a triple-double in a win at Charlotte, the four-time NBA MVP had six rebounds and three assists and sat out the fourth quarter of a lopsided laughter.
“We did a good job of making it a little difficult on him, showing him a lot of bodies, active hands,” said Wizards guard Bradley Beal, who had 25 points and 12 rebounds.
Wall said the key for Washington was its defensive effort, something often missing this season.
“Tried not to let LeBron get going,” Wall said. “He missed a couple easy shots he always makes. Didn’t get a couple calls driving to the basket. … It’s one game, but we know he is who he is.”
Nothing the Lakers tried to do to slow Wall worked as the Wizards emphatically ended a four-game losing streak, going up by as many as 18 in the first quarter and 27 in the third.
76ERS 128, CAVS 105
Ben Simmons has triple-double, 76ers rout Cavaliers 128-105
In Cleveland, Ben Simmons had 22 points, 11 rebounds and 14 assists for his third triple-double of the season, Joel Embiid scored 24 points and the Philadelphia 76ers won in Jimmy Butler’s return, routing Cleveland Cavaliers 128-105 on Sunday.
Butler scored 19 points after missing two games – both losses – with a strained groin.
Landry Shamet added 16 points for Philadelphia, J.J. Redick had 14 points and Wilson Chandler 11.
Cedi Osman and Jordan Clarkson each scored 18 points for Cleveland. Rodney Hood and Matthew Dellavedova each had 13 points, and rookie point guard Collin Sexton added 12.
Philadelphia broke it open after Cleveland cut a 13-point lead to 86-85 late in the third quarter.
The Sixers led 86-73 midway through the quarter, but Cleveland scored 12 straight points and trailed by one on after Larry Nance Jr.’s dunk. Wilson Chandler hit a 3-pointer from the corner as time ran out in the period, starting the deciding run.
NUGGETS 95, RAPTORS 86
In Denver, Nikola Jokic scored 26 points, Jamal Murray had 15 of his 19 in the fourth quarter and banged-up Denver rallied past equally banged-up Toronto in a contest between conference leaders.
Trailing 70-57 in the third quarter, the Nuggets went on a 23-2 run to send them to their 10th win in 12 games and retain a slim lead over Golden State in the Western Conference. This marks the latest the Nuggets (20-9) have been in first place in the West since Dec. 18, 1984, according to information by Elias Sports Bureau.
Kawhi Leonard had 29 points and 14 rebounds for the Eastern Conference-leading Raptors, who finished 2-2 on their trip. They still own the league’s best mark at 23-9.