The Washington Wizards fell Saturday in a 94-87 road loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. John Wall led the Wizards with a game-high 24 points and 6 assists in defeat. Clippers guard Chris Paul took the place of runner-up with a team-high 22 points on the night, and his final jumper left Wall in the dust.
Washington got off to a 5-0 start yet trailed Los Angeles 24-22 at the end of the first period. The score remained close but the Wizards were unable to regain the lead. With 32.4 seconds left in the fourth quarter, Paul sank a tough, step-back jumper over Wall. The make gave the Clippers a dagger-worthy 91-86 lead.
Washington tried to get the ball to rookie Bradley Beal, but he miscued from deep and the Wizards ran out of time. Beal sank 3-for-5 from beyond the perimeter and has knocked down three or more three-pointers in his last three games.
Former Wizards guard-forward Caron Butler finished with 6 points and 3 rebounds--all offensive--in just under 18 and a half minutes as a starter. Former Wizards center Ronny Turiaf clocked just under 5 and a half minutes, and secured a single rebound. 17-year-pro Grant Hill chipped in 6 points off the bench.
2010 NBA Rookie of the Year Blake Griffin led Los Angeles with a 17 points, 11 rebounds, double-double. He out performed Nene inside and at times just bowled him over. Paul paced the Clippers with 22 points and 11 assists.
Washington will visit the Portland Trail Blazers tonight at 10:00 p.m. ET (CSN). The Wizards haven't won a game on Martin Luther King Day since 2011, when Nick Young sank a game-winning three to help Washington top the Utah Jazz at the Verizon Center.
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