Wall, Wizards entertain Magic
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The return of John Wall gave the Washington Wizards a major boost the last time out and they will shoot for a season high three straight wins Monday night versus the Orlando Magic at the Verizon Center.
The Wizards made it two wins in a row with Saturday's 93-83 victory over the Atlanta Hawks as Wall recorded 14 points and four assists in his season debut. Wall had been sidelined with a balky knee and played 20-plus minutes.
"I think we were all excited to have our first game back (together)," said Wall, who noted he didn't experience any issues with his injured knee.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Bradley Beal and A.J. Price each scored 16 points and Martell Webster ended with 15 points for Washington, which has won two straight since a five-game slide and closed the 2011-12 campaign on a six-game winning streak.
The Wizards were without guard Jordan Crawford, who is nursing a sore left ankle and is doubtful for Monday. He leads the team with 15.6 ppg.
After hosting Orlando, the Wizards, who are 5-13 in D.C., will play five straight out west against the Kings, Nuggets, Clippers, Blazers and Jazz.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Orlando halted its 10-game losing streak with Saturday's improbable 104-101 triumph against the Clippers and will conclude its four-game trek Monday.
In the win victory over the talented Clippers, Arron Afflalo scored 23 of his 30 points in the second half and J.J. Redick netted 21 points. Nikola Vucevic recorded 18 points and 15 rebounds in Orlando's first victory since Dec. 19 versus the Wizards.
"Our team deserved this one, we cut down the turnovers and played for 48 minutes," said Orlando coach Jacque Vaughn. "Today we put it together and things went our way."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Magic ended their longest losing streak since a 13-game slide from March 13-April 10, 2004. They are 6-11 away from central Florida this season and will return home for a three-game residency versus Indiana, Charlotte and Dallas later this week.
In injury news for Orlando, forwards Glen Davis (shoulder) and Hedo Turkoglu (hand) and guard E'Twaun Moore (elbow) are listed as questionable Monday.
Orlando and Washington have defeated each other once already this season, but the Magic are 10-2 in the previous 12 meetings between the teams. The Magic have won nine of their last 12 trips to the nation's capital.