John Wall scored 16 of his 37 points in the fourth quarter, Marcin Gortat added 18 points and a career-high 20 rebounds, and the Washington Wizards rallied for a 116-108 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday night.
Wall and Gortat combined for 14 points during a 16-0 fourth-quarter run in Washington’s sixth victory in eight games since the All-Star break.
Markieff Morris had 16 points and 13 rebounds in his first double-double with Washington. It was his first start since joining the Wizards at the trade deadline.
Philadelphia played without rookie center Jahlil Okafor, who was sidelined by a right shin bruise. But the 76ers had six players score in double figures, led by Ish Smith’s 25 points.
Carl Landry added 15 points for the 76ers, who were outrebounded 53-32 in their ninth straight loss. Philadelphia hasn’t won on the road since Jan. 20.
After leading by 12 points at halftime, the Wizards trailed by seven before making their run midway through the fourth.
Wall gave the Wizards the lead when he drove the lane, hit a layup while absorbing Robert Covington’s foul, and finished the three-point play to make it 95-93.
Wall added a steal and a layup, Gortat converted a three-point play off a driving layup, and Morris hit a pair of free throws to make it 102-93 with 5:43 left.
Philadelphia hung around, with Smith’s 3-pointer cutting it to 110-107 with 1:09 remaining. But Morris hit a jumper and Wall followed with a fadeaway.
Philadelphia’s Nerlens Noel made his first career 3-pointer in the third quarter on his first career try from beyond the arc. He finished with 11 points and six rebounds.
Morris also received his first technical foul since joining Washington. He was whistled for six with Phoenix before the trade.
76ers coach Brett Brown suggested Philadelphia could be looking to acquire a guard to fill the remaining spot on its roster.
“That seems to see the most likely place you should go or would go, and it’s hard to argue that,” Brown said.
Okafor got hurt during his 26-point performance in Sunday’s loss at Orlando. Brown said he thought the 20-year-old rookie would only miss one game. Hollis Thompson (upper respiratory infection) also sat out.
Wizards center Nene (body soreness) and guard/forward Alan Anderson (left ankle) sat out after playing Sunday.
Gortat and Morris each had 10 rebounds by halftime.
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