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WASHINGTON (AP) - John Wall had 16 points, eight assists and six rebounds, and the Washington Wizards overcame a sluggish start Sunday night to put away the slumping Utah Jazz, 93-84.
Wall also had five steals and three blocks, Bradley Beal scored 22 points, and Paul Pierce added 15 for the Wizards, who nearly succumbed to a letdown game after their big win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday night. Washington committed 12 first-half turnovers against the Jazz, but Wall, Beal and Nene led a third-quarter surge, and Andre Miller's driving layup in the first minute of the fourth quarter produced the game's first double-digit lead.
Alec Burks scored 19 points, and Gordon Hayward had 16 for the Jazz, who have lost 11 of 12.
#UJ
The Wizards have won four straight - the longest current winning streak in the Eastern Conference - and seven of eight.
Utah, taking advantage of Washington's careless ball-handling, led by seven late in the second quarter, but teams reversed roles in the second half: The Jazz committed 10 turnovers after the break, while the Wizards had just three.
Beal's 3-pointer midway through the third quarter gave Washington the lead for good. Wall followed with a fast-break dunk and later had a steal-and-layup to get the lead to five.
Nene and Miller came off the bench to keep the momentum. Nene went 5 for 8 from the field to finish with 10 points. Miller was 5 for 6 and also scored 10.
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TIP-INS
Jazz: F Derrick Favors sat out after spraining his right ankle in the loss to the Miami Heat on Friday. Rudy Gobert filled in, getting his first career NBA start. ... The game was the first of six in the Jazz's annual pre-Christmas road trip.
Wizards: Washington has won seven straight at home and is 5-1 this season vs. the Western Conference. ... One franchise player honored another as Washington Capitals three-time NHL MVP Alex Ovechkin attended the game wearing a Wall jersey.
UP NEXT
Jazz: At Pelicans on Tuesday.
Wizards: Home to Timberwolves on Tuesday.
