Wizards rout Knicks
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Washington, DC (SportsNetwork.com) - Marcin Gortat had 19 points, six rebounds and three blocks in the Washington Wizards' 101-87 rout of the New York Knicks on Friday.
Bradley Beal added 18 points and five assists for the Wizards, who have won two in a row and sit fifth in the Eastern Conference. Otto Porter Jr. tallied 17 points and eight rebounds.
"It's about the team. Everything we are doing is for the playoffs," said Porter. "We just try to have everyone's back."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}John Wall was held to six points on 3-of-13 shooting, but had a career-high 18 assists for Washington, which went 3-2 on a five-game homestand.
Ricky Ledo set career-highs with 21 points and nine rebounds for the Knicks, who have dropped nine straight. Shane Larkin and Quincy Acy each scored 14 points.
"It's tough because we felt like we came back and gained momentum going into halftime," Ledo said. "We have to hold teams to lower point totals than that."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Wizards took control of the game with a dominant first quarter. Ahead 11-8, Porter scored 10 points during a 19-0 Washington run. Acy stopped the bleeding with two free throws to make it 30-10 after 12 minutes.
Trailing 51-34, New York ended the first half on a 12-3 spurt. Larkin tallied six points during the burst, including two free throws with 16.2 seconds left to make it 54-46.
But Beal scored the first five points of the third stanza to make it a double- digit game again. The Wizards took an 83-67 lead into the fourth.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Game Notes
The Wizards have won seven straight against the Knicks ... Washington rested Paul Pierce and Nene on Friday ... The Wizards play at Memphis on Saturday, while New York hosts the 76ers on Sunday.