MINNEAPOLIS — Bradley Beal scored 26 points and Alan Anderson added 18 to lead the Washington Wizards to their fourth consecutive victory, 104-98 over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night.
John Wall had 14 points and 12 assists, and Beal and Anderson led a Wizards bench that outscored Minnesota’s second unit, 64-18. Washington shot 50 percent, hit 11 of 29 3-pointers and scored 50 points in the paint to overcome 17 turnovers.
Ricky Rubio had 22 points and six rebounds, Zach LaVine scored 21 and Karl-Anthony Towns had 14 points, 15 rebounds and five assists for the Timberwolves. Minnesota made 29 free throws to just nine for Washington, but 19 turnovers did in the young Timberwolves.
Anderson was playing in only his fourth game of the season after missing the first 55 while recovering from left ankle surgery. The Minneapolis native went 6-for-9, including four 3-pointers, to help Washington overcome a shaky start.
The Wizards are 7-2 since the all-star break, with the return of Nene, Beal and Anderson from injuries and a trade for Markieff Morris helping to fortify them as they push for the playoffs. Even with their improved play of late, they began the day in 10th place in the Eastern Conference.
Like much of this season, the Wizards teetered dangerously on the brink during the game. They trailed, 21-9, in the first quarter amid a rash of turnovers before Wall got going. The blazing-fast point guard ignited Washington’s transition game, finding Beal and Anderson open on the wings for open 3-pointer after open 3-pointer.
The Timberwolves crept back in front in the third quarter with a 9-0 run, but their defensive deficiencies quickly returned to open the door again for Washington.
The burly frontcourt of Marcin Gortat and Nene held Minnesota’s dynamic young big men — Towns and Gorgui Dieng — to a combined 20 points.
Andrew Wiggins scored 17 points for the Timberwolves. Forward Greg Smith was signed to a 10-day deal Wednesday. He scored four points in 10 minutes for the Timberwolves.
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