Bradley Beal scored 33 points, and Russell Westbrook added 32 on Monday as the visiting Washington Wizards rallied for a 127-124 overtime victory over the Los Angeles Lakers for their first five-game winning streak in three years.
Westbrook, who added 14 rebounds and nine assists, made a shot inside and was fouled with 11.6 seconds remaining in overtime to put the Wizards up three points. He missed the ensuing free throw to give the Lakers a chance to tie the score, but LeBron James and Kyle Kuzma missed 3-point attempts on Los Angeles' final possession.
"It feels different, in a great way, " Beal said of the Wizards' impressive five-game run against Boston, Houston, Denver, Portland and the Lakers. "We've still got bad habits we need to break, but we don't discount what we did."
Russell Westbrook #4 (front) of the Washington Wizards and Rui Hachimura #8 of the Washington Wizards celebrates during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers in Los Angeles, California, U.S., February 22, 2021. /CFP
Russell Westbrook #4 (front) of the Washington Wizards and Rui Hachimura #8 of the Washington Wizards celebrates during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers in Los Angeles, California, U.S., February 22, 2021. /CFP
Rui Hachimura scored 15 points, and Robin Lopez added 13 off the bench as the Wizards improved to 2-0 to open a four-game road trip against Western Conference teams.
James finished with 31 points, 13 assists and nine rebounds while Montrezl Harrell had a season-high of 26 points and nine rebounds for the defending NBA champions, who have lost three matches straight for the first time this season – coincidentally not during three consecutive games without Anthony Davis and Dennis Schröder.
Georges Niang #31 of the Utah Jazz celebrates a 3-point shot during a game against the Charlotte Hornets in Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S., February 22, 2021. /CFP
Georges Niang #31 of the Utah Jazz celebrates a 3-point shot during a game against the Charlotte Hornets in Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S., February 22, 2021. /CFP
Jazz set records for 3-pointers in 132-110 rout of Hornets
Donovan Mitchell finished with 23 points and eight assists, and three of his Utah teammates scored at least 20 points each off the bench in the Jazz's win over Charlotte in Salt Lake City.
Utah set a franchise mark for 3-pointers with 28, including 19 off the bench – the most by any team's backups in NBA history, according to STATS.
The Jazz set their previous mark for 3-pointers with 26 in the first meeting between the teams on February 5.
This time, several of Utah's outside shots came during a 26-2 run that erased a double-digit lead for Charlotte and put the Jazz (25-6) firmly in control after an uneven performance on both ends through the first three quarters.
"The No. 1 team in the league wins a game like that," Mitchell said. "That's really where our head is at. That's where we need to continue to be."
Joe Ingles and Georges Niang led the way from the perimeter, making a career-high seven 3-pointer apiece. Both players finished with 21 points. Jordan Clarkson added 20.
Gordon Hayward and LaMelo Ball each scored 21 points to lead the Hornets. Malik Monk added 20. Charlotte (14-16) lost despite scoring 25 points off 21 Utah turnovers.
Devin Booker #1 (R) of the Phoenix Suns drives to the basket during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers in Phoenix, Arizona, U.S., February 22, 2021. /CFP
Devin Booker #1 (R) of the Phoenix Suns drives to the basket during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers in Phoenix, Arizona, U.S., February 22, 2021. /CFP
Other games on Monday (away teams come first):
Miami Heat 108-94 Oklahoma City Thunder
Portland Trail Blazers 100-132 Phoenix Suns
Memphis Grizzlies 92-102 Dallas Mavericks
Chicago Bulls 120-100 Houston Rockets
(With input from agencies)