Wizards upset Jazz; Knicks thump undermanned Lakers
LOS ANGELES – Bradley Beal scored 34 points and Russell Westbrook bagged a triple-double as the Washington Wizards ended the Utah Jazz's 24-game home winning streak with a 125-121 victory in Salt Lake City on Monday (Tuesday, Manila time).
Donovan Mitchell delivered a 42-point gem for Utah but could not prevent the under-strength Western Conference leaders from sliding to a surprise defeat against a Wizards team struggling near the foot of the East.
Utah, with Mike Conley and Jordan Clarkson absent from the line-up, looked to be racing towards a 25th straight home victory after a dazzling opening quarter saw them put up 42 points.
Mitchell contributed 17 points in that burst of early scoring, but Washington responded superbly to outscore Utah 37-23 in the second for a 70-65 half-time lead.
Washington took control in the third period with a 19-8 run, and with Mitchell's touch suddenly deserting him, Utah were left chasing the game in the fourth.
Beal's 34-point display was complemented by Westbrook's triple, with the 2017 NBA MVP finishing with 25 points, 14 rebounds and 14 assists.
Elsewhere on Tuesday, Julius Randle scored 34 points as the New York Knicks routed the depleted Los Angeles Lakers 111-96.
The NBA champions coughed up 25 turnovers as the Knicks romped to victory, with Elfrid Payton adding 20 points and Derrick Rose 14.
Lakers coach Frank Vogel pointed the finger at his team's wayward offensive display, which came just two days after a blowout victory against Brooklyn on Saturday.
"Really poor passing, some bad decisions," Vogel said of the Lakers, who continue to feel the absence of injured stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
"As good as we were offensively two nights ago, we were just as bad tonight. It's disappointing. Definitely not good enough on the offensive end."
The Lakers face a quick turnaround against the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday before wrapping up their eight-game road trip in Boston on Thursday.
"Losing like this doesn't feel good," Vogel said. "All of our guys are eager to get back out there tomorrow."
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