Wizards' Wall Hits Game-Winner Over Bulls

Print

Published on January 11 2017 6:17 am
Last Updated on January 11 2017 6:17 am
Written by Millie Lange

By ESPN

John Wall fumed as Denzel Valentine celebrated a big 3-pointer Tuesday night.

Then the Washington Wizards star warned the Chicago Bulls rookie: "You woke a monster up."

The Wizards rallied, and Wall hit a game-winning jumper with 5.9 seconds left as Washington defeated Chicago 101-99 to move above .500 for the first time in more than a year.

Wall finished with 26 points and 14 assists to overshadow Valentine, who posted career highs with 19 points and five 3-pointers.

After Valentine's last 3, he had the nerve to dance near the halfcourt circle with Chicago up 92-85 with 7:38 to play.

"I just walked over there and as I was coming out of the huddle I said, `That's how you feel?" Wall recalled. "And I said, `You woke a monster up."

Marcin Gortat had 10 points and 12 rebounds for Washington. He also set the screen that freed up Wall for his tiebreaking jumper to seal a 10th straight home win.

Markieff Morris and Bradley Beal each added 19 points for the Wizards, who completed their biggest comeback victory of the season after trailing by 18 in the second quarter.

"Exhausting," Wizards coach Scott Brooks said of the first half. "Tonight we relaxed and gave guys open 3s and they made them."

Chicago was missing leading scorers Jimmy Butler (ill) and Dwyane Wade (resting). Bulls forward Nikola Mirotic also sat out with an illness.

Taj Gibson finished with 10 points and 12 rebounds for the Bulls. Rajon Rondo added 12 points in his first game since Dec. 30, when coach Fred Hoiberg began keeping the healthy four-time All-Star on the bench.


Tuesday, January 10 Scoreboard

Washington 101, Chicago 99

Toronto 114, Boston 106

Atlanta 117, Brooklyn 97

Houston 121, Charlotte 114

Milwaukee 109, San Antonio 107

Utah 100, Cleveland 92

Portland 108, Los Angeles Lakers 87

Golden  State 107, Miami 95

Sacramento 100, Detroit 94


Wednesday, January 11 Schedule (All Times Central)

New York at Philadelphia, 6 p.m.

Memphis at Oklahoma City, 7 p.m.

Houston at Minnesota, 7 p.m.

Washington at Boston, 7 p.m.

Orlando at Los Angeles Clippers, 9:30 p.m.

Cleveland at Portland, 9:30 p.m.