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Wall's triple-double leads Wizards to 106-94 win over 76ers

Feb 6, 2016 - 3:56 AM WASHINGTON (AP) Wizards coach Randy Wittman loved John Wall's defensive rebounding. Philadelphia coach Brett Brown compared Wall to a Maserati.

It was that kind of night for Washington's star point guard.

Wall had 18 points, a career-high 13 rebounds and 10 assists for his fourth career triple-double, and the Wizards beat the 76ers 106-94 on Friday.

''I had a lot of chances to get a lot of them, but I missed them by like one rebound or one assist,'' said Wall, who was coming off a 41-point performance in a loss to Golden State on Wednesday. ''It was more important to get a win, get on the right track.''

Marcin Gortat had 21 points and 13 rebounds for Washington, who had lost five of six. Bradley Beal scored 22 in his first start since Dec. 9.

Wall also had two steals in 33 minutes. Coach Randy Wittman said triple-doubles don't necessarily matter to him.

''If we win, it does,'' Wittman joked.

He wanted to emphasize the importance of Wall rebounding on defense. All 13 of Wall's rebounds came on the defensive boards.

''The 13 rebounds I really like just from a standpoint of getting back in there and helping. We end up winning the rebounding game tonight because of that,'' Wittman said.

Ish Smith, cut by Washington during training camp, led Philadelphia with 22 points. Smith, playing for his ninth NBA team in just six seasons, scored 14 points in the third quarter.

The Wizards raced to a 38-18 lead thanks to their highest scoring first quarter of the season.

By midway through the third, they led 76-51. The 76ers cut the lead to 92-83 with 6:12 to play, but made no further headway.

''We have to come out and be competitive and know these teams are going to try and swing at us early, try to knock us out,'' Smith said. ''With the exception of that first quarter, we were unbelievable. Our second, third and fourth quarters were pretty freaking good. I think we just got thrown off with how much of a rush they came out with.''

Philadelphia has lost four in a row and five of six to drop to 7-43 this season.

SIXERS FIGHT BACK

On Wednesday, the 76ers lost by 38 to Atlanta. They were somewhat more competitive against Washington.

''We have been down a lot for the past 2 1/2 years. That area isn't shocking to us,'' Brown said. ''How we respond to it is the great challenge and I'm proud of our guys way more than I'm not.''

RESCHEDULED

Washington's snowed-out game on Jan. 23 against Utah has been rescheduled for Feb. 18. The Wizards and Jazz will have a day shaved from their All-Star break.

Washington will now play home games on consecutive nights and an unusual three games in three nights. Utah must return home to play Boston the next night.

FAST WALL

Brown has watched Wall mature over the years.

''John Wall is the fastest guard in the NBA to me,'' Brown said. ''You learn how to drive your Maserati better.''

TIP-INS

76ers: F Richaun Holmes missed the game with a sprained right ankle. ... Brown is especially looking forward to one particular part of his All-Star break. He'll take his family to see Bruce Springsteen at the Wells Fargo Center.

Wizards: F/C Nene was sidelined by a strained left calf. ... Wittman returned after missing two games to attend the funeral of his brother in Indiana.

UP NEXT

76ers: Host Brooklyn on Saturday.

Wizards: Visit Charlotte on Saturday.