Washington used a balanced attack, led by John Wall with 23 points, as the Wizards got back in the win column with a 111-95 victory over the Lakers on Thursday night.

Bradley Beal added 22 points, including a season-high 6 assists, while Otto Porter scored 20 as Washington snapped a three-game losing streak at home.

The Wizards scored 69 points in the first half, tied for the most in a half this season for the team and never looked back. The Lakers looked like they might make things a little close for comfort as Julius Randle hit a layup to cut the lead to nine, 93-84 early in the fourth quarter, but Washington would cruise the rest of the way to an easy victory as the Lakers ran out of gas.

Takeaways

Washington’s big first half propels them to victory

In the preview for this game, I wrote that we’d know where this team’s head was at right from the tip. Washington played one of their best halves of the season scoring 69 points (season-high) on 60 percent shooting. Otto Porter set the tone in the first quarter as he started the game 5-8 from the field.

Beal took over in the second quarter, attacking the rim and even getting a four-point play the non-traditional way when he hit a three-pointer and Ian Mahinmi was fouled during the shot.

There were a few hiccups for the Wizards including eight turnovers as well as some poor transition defense, but in all, this was one of their best halves of the season.

You can always count on Ol’ Faithful Otto

In the only way Otto Porter knows, he put up a quiet 20 points to go along with 11 rebounds. He started the game cutting through the lane for his patented herky-jerky layups in transition and showed us what resembled a Dirk Nowitzki step-back jumper.

Otto Porter played the entire first quarter as well as the opening minutes of the second quarter as Brooks played him alongside four reserves. Scott Brooks went with this rotation to start the fourth quarter as well as Brooks moved away from his all-reserve lineups.

Markieff Morris has his best game of the season

Morris broke free from his early season struggles tonight. After a quiet first half where he scored just four points, Morris knocked down two straight three-pointers to start the second half and first five shots of the game overall.

Morris ended the night with 16 points and 5 rebounds in just 17 minutes of play.

Game Notes

• I’m no doctor but John’s left shoulder looks OK to me.

• John Wall put on a block party tonight, here were his two best swats of the evening.

• Ian Mahinmi scored 2 points to go along with just 1 rebound as he fouled out in just 14 minutes of play.
• Washington was a little loose with the ball committing 19 turnovers resulting in 27 Laker points.

Up Next: Washington hosts Atlanta on Saturday evening in their first game of the season against a Southeast Division foe.