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Wizards beat Sixers for first win of the season

Nov 7, 2013 - 3:05 AM Philadelphia, PA (SportsNetwork.com) - John Wall hit five of Washington's 18 3-pointers and led the Wizards to their first win of the season, a 116-102 wire-to-wire victory over the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center.

Wall netted a team-high 24 points and added nine assists for the Wizards, who came in 0-3 and blew a double-digit lead in the second half against these same Sixers last Friday.

"It's something I worked on this summer," Wall said of his 3-point shooting. "I have to be confident and knock them down. Tonight they went in."

Washington coach Randy Wittman blasted his club's commitment to defense following that letdown and was fined $20,000 by the league office for using profane language while doing so.

The costly press conference must have resonated, because the Wizards forced 21 turnovers and won going away with seven players scoring in double figures.

"Those two areas no doubt hurt us," Sixers head coach Brett Brown said, referring to the turnovers and Washington's prowess from long range. "As time moves forward...I think that's (correctable)."

Marcin Gortat logged 19 points and 12 rebounds, Bradley Beal added 17 points and eight assists and Trevor Ariza checked in with 15 points in the win.

Evan Turner posted 24 points for the Sixers, who have dropped two in a row since a surprising 3-0 start and have given up at least 100 points in all five games on the young season.

The Sixers' defensive woes started early as Washington made six 3-pointers during a 39-point first quarter. Beal drained three from behind the arc and Gortat added 10 points in the frame, which ended with the Wizards holding a 39-27 lead.

The deficit dwindled to a single possession, 43-40, near the midway point of the second quarter before the Wizards rebuilt their double-digit advantage by scoring nine points in a 50-second span.

It was a 60-51 game at the half, and Washington continued to keep the hosts at bay with sharp shooting. Turner netted 11 points in the third, including a step-back jumper that pulled the Sixers within 82-76, but Wall answered with a 3-pointer to start a 9-0 Wizards run spanning the third and fourth quarters.

The closest Philadelphia got in the final frame was 10.

Game Notes

Washington's 18 3-pointers tied a floor record set by Seattle on Nov. 16, 2004 ... The Wizards had dropped five straight in Philadelphia, last winning there on Jan. 5, 2010 ... Michael Carter-Williams finished with 19 points and seven assists for the Sixers, while Spencer Hawes filled the stat sheet with 23 points, 13 boards, five assists and six turnovers ... Martell Webster had 14 points off Washington's bench.