Wizards 117 - 107 Lakers
Final
  for this game

Wizards, Lakers tangle at Staples Center

Mar 21, 2014 - 2:12 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - The Washington Wizards will resume a four-game western trip Friday against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center.

The Wizards are 0-2 on the trek after losses in Sacramento and Portland, and suffered a 116-103 loss to the Trail Blazers Thursday. John Wall posted 24 points and 14 assists, while Bradley Beal and Drew Gooden both had 18 points.

Trevor Ariza scored 15 points to go along with nine rebounds for the Wizards, losers in two straight and four of six games.

"They just came out hitting shots," said Wall. "We know they're a team that can get hot from time to time. They made some contested shots."

Washington has an 18-17 record on the road and sits sixth in the Eastern Conference -- one game behind Brooklyn and three in back of Chicago.

The Wizards will close the western trip Sunday in Denver and hope center Marcin Gortat returns Friday. Gortat did not play against Portland because of a back ailment and is averaging 12.8 points and 9.3 rebounds.

Meanwhile, the Lakers opened a four-game homestand with a 125-109 loss to surging San Antonio on Wednesday.

Xavier Henry scored 24 points, Pau Gasol chipped in 22 points and 10 rebounds and the Lakers fell for the sixth time in their last seven games.

"Other than the last six minutes we played well. We don't have enough to compete for 48 minutes against a team like this," Lakers head coach Mike D'Antoni said.

The Lakers fell to 11-21 at home and will host Orlando and New York on this residency. They hope to get Nick Young (knee) and Steve Nash (back/illness) back Friday night. Young hasn't played since Feb. 23 and has missed 16 of the last 17 games.

"I'll be out there against the Wizards," Young said after Thursday's practice. "I've been waiting. It's tough to sit in the back and watch these games. I've been wanting to get out there from the time the second half of the season started."

D'Antoni said Young will return to his role off the bench.

Nash has been sidelined since Feb. 11 for the Lakers, who lost to Washington 116-111 on Nov. 26 in D.C. Los Angeles is 10-3 in the last 13 meetings with Washington.






Related News