Suns end Wizards' 6-game winning streak


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WASHINGTON (AP) — Phoenix Suns coach Jeff Hornacek got the killer instinct he was looking for.

The Suns scored nine straight points late in the game to beat Washington 104-92 on Sunday night, completing a perfect three-game trip and ending the Wizards' winning streak at six games.

"Maybe this is the game that helps us to get going because it was a full all-player, all-team effort," Hornacek said. "This is the way we need to play."

Eric Bledsoe and Markieff Morris each scored 17 points, Goran Dragic added 16 — 12 in the third quarter when Phoenix took control of the game.

The Suns opened the road swing in Charlotte on Wednesday night and beat New York on Saturday.

Rasual Butler led the Wizards with 17 points, and Kevin Seraphin equaled a season-high with 16.

After a 50-50 tie at halftime, the Suns outplayed Washington in the third quarter, taking a 13-point lead with 1:30 to play. Dragic was 5 for 6 in the quarter.

"They took the game to us every step of the way, whether it was the defensive end or the offensive end," Wizards coach Randy Wittman said. "We were just a step behind everything from an offensive standpoint."

Washington cut it to 95-89 on Paul Pierce's layup with 2:40 to play, but the Suns scored nine straight — seven by Bledsoe — to take a 104-89 lead with 1:01 to play.

Hornacek's strategy of using three point guards: Bledsoe, Dragic and Isaiah Thomas to close games on this trip has worked.

"So far, we're up," Dragic said. "Every time we play with three guards, we manage to close games."

TIP-INS

Suns: Rookie swingman Zoran Dragic, Goran's brother, has played 2 minutes all season. Hornacek says Zoran Dragic is progressing in practice, but doesn't foresee general manager Ryan McDonough sending him to Bakersfield of the D-League. "If he wants to go down there and get his rhythm in some games, we'll do that. I don't think Ryan has any intention of sending him down there unless he wants to," Hornacek said. ... Phoenix is 2-6 in its eight back-to-backs this season and is 7-1 on the road against Eastern Conference teams.

Wizards: Wittman says swingman Martell Webster continues to near a return from June back surgery. He's still not sure of Webster's season debut. "I can't tell you when it's going to be, but he's making progress," Wittman said. ... Washington hasn't won seven straight since Jan. 2-15, 2005. ... The Wizards had won eight straight home games.

HOME ON THE ROAD: The Suns are 9-7 on the road and 6-7 at home. "Maybe we're just more focused," Goran Dragic said. "Maybe at home, we're thinking, 'Oh we're playing at home. We can beat anybody at home.' So maybe we are too relaxed."

NEED ASSISTANCE: The Wizards had a season-low 11 assists. Their previous low was 19.

"We were just stagnant. We weren't fighting to get open," Bradley Beal said.

UP NEXT

Suns: Host Dallas on Tuesday night.

Wizards: Host Chicago on Tuesday night.

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