Lewis' big night sparks Wizards to rout over Nets
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Rashard Lewis had 16 points and a season-high 13 rebounds Friday night, and the Washington Wizards raced out to an early 18-point lead before cruising to a 97-77 victory over the New Jersey Nets.
The Wizards built a 21-3 lead in the first eight minutes and faced little resistance from the cold-shooting Nets the rest of the way in snapping a three-game skid. Lewis hit all three of his 3-pointers in the first quarter to spark the Wizards.
Nick Young scored 16 points, JaVale McGee had 15 points and Andray Blatche added 14 points for the Wizards.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Washington is 0-17 away from the Verizon Center, but improved to 9-8 with Friday's win. None of the Wizards' victories have come against a team with a winning record.
New Jersey is now 3-17 away from home, and has dropped its last five road contests and six of seven overall.
Devin Harris and Sasha Vujacic combined to shoot 2 for 21 as the Nets hit on just 35 percent from the floor. Brook Lopez and Jordan Farmer each had 14 to lead New Jersey.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Nothing went right for the Nets in the first eight minutes of the game, as they shot a 1 of 13 to allow Washington to build a huge lead.
After Brook Lopez's jumper made it 7-3 with 8:09 remaining, the Nets went scoreless for the next 4:14. During that span, the Wizards went on a 14-0 run, keyed by three consecutive 3-pointers by Lewis and another 3 from Young.
John Wall had as many assists — five — as the Nets had field goals in the first quarter. He spent most of the second period on the bench, although he did contribute a beautiful alley-oop pass to McGee for a thunderous dunk.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Faced with digging out of the first-quarter hole, New Jersey settled for firing 3s for most of the half, and the Wizards took advantage of quick Nets possessions to build a 22-point lead in the second quarter.
Notes: Wizards swingman Josh Howard missed the game after aggravating his left knee in Wednesday's loss at Philadelphia. Howard will be re-evaluated on Monday. "We don't want to take any chances," Washington coach Flip Saunders said. ... Nets F Kris Humphries scored eight points and had eight rebounds after injuring his thigh against Chicago on Wednesday and missing practice Thursday. "He's a tough guy. He bounces back really fast," New Jersey coach Avery Johnson said. ... The Wizards unveiled a new trophy case on the main concourse of the Verizon Center, featuring a refurbished Tiffany & Co. trophy celebrating the 1978 NBA Championship won by the Washington Bullets.