Rockets beat Wizards to end losing streak / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports Credit Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Kevin Porter Jr. nailed a step-back 3-pointer with 0.4 seconds left and Christian Wood recorded his 18th double-double of the season as the Houston Rockets snapped an eight-game losing skid with a 114-111 victory over the host Washington Wizards Wednesday at Capital One Arena.

Free throws this season

77%16,6Points made:16,6Accuracy:76,8%Place in standings:12Record max:29Record min:6Most made FTs:Bradley BealTeamNBAStatisticsSchedule

Porter and Wood returned from one-game suspensions to help the Rockets overcome a late Wizards rally, one co-authored by Kyle Kuzma (24 points, nine rebounds) and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (26 points, five 3-pointers) with some help from Raul Neto, who tied the game at 111-111 on a driving layup with 22.6 seconds left.

But Porter, who shot just 3 for 13, made his lone field goal of the second half count. Wood totaled 22 points, 11 rebounds, and three steals while Jalen Green added 22 points and Eric Gordon 19.

Wizards guard Bradley Beal fouled out with 9:10 remaining and a game-high 27 points in 29 minutes. The Rockets led 94-87 but Washington did not fold, pulling even at 102-102 on the first of two game-tying Neto layups at the 3:01 mark of the fourth. Neto finished with 14 points and four assists off the bench.

The Rockets were quick in taking a double-digit lead, starting 7 of 12 from the floor while surging to an 18-8 lead before the Wizards called a timeout. Houston led by as many as a dozen points in the opening period before Beal carried Washington back into contention with 12 first-quarter points, including six in succession down the stretch of the opening period.

Houston reserves totaled 14 first-half points including 10 of the Rockets' 12 points during an opening push in the second period that helped the Rockets extend to a 41-35 lead.

The Wizards responded with a 9-1 run, as Corey Kispert scored the last five points during that stretch including a 3-pointer that gave Washington its first lead at 44-42. There were five lead changes in the second quarter but with Beal (16 points), Caldwell-Pope (14) and Kuzma (12) all scoring in double figures prior to the intermission, the Wizards carried a 55-54 lead into the break.

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