NEW YORK — Bradley Beal scored 25 points and made the tiebreaking 3-pointer with 49 seconds left as the Washington Wizards beat the New York Knicks 106-103 on Thursday night.
John Wall added 24 points and eight assists for the Wizards, who blew a 12-point lead in the fourth quarter but recovered to improve to 48-31, tying Toronto for third place in the Eastern Conference. Washington is trying for its first 50-win season since 1978-79.
Marcin Gortat was 7 for 7 from the field and scored 16 points for the Wizards. They have won seven straight at Madison Square Garden.
Carmelo Anthony scored 23 points for the Knicks, who are a loss away from their third consecutive 50-loss season.
New York erased an 89-77 deficit to tie it at 101 after Anthony knocked down consecutive jumpers, but Beal got free for a corner 3 that made it 104-101. He later added a pair of free throws and Washington held on when Anthony missed a 3-pointer to finish a 7-for-19 night from the field.
Washington played without Markieff Morris (sore right ankle).
The Wizards have beaten the Knicks six straight times.
Kristaps Porzingis didn’t play because of a sore lower back. Justin Holiday scored 16 points off the Knicks bench.
Brandon Jennings scored four points off Washington’s bench in his first trip back to Madison Square Garden since signing with the Wizards in March. Jennings signed with the Knicks in July but was waived in February so he could seek a bigger role on a contender.
“He gives us a little bit of a swagger, he gives us some confidence,” coach Scott Brooks said. “He hasn’t made shots like he will but he makes plays for us, he gets guys open shots, he pushes the tempo.”
The Knicks honored MSG Network broadcaster Mike Breen with the ninth annual Dick McGuire Knickerbocker Legacy Award, given by the family of the Hall of Fame player and team employee to a person who “exudes the qualities of what it means to be a Knickerbocker.” Breen, in his 25th season doing play-by-play for MSG, also has called the last 11 NBA Finals for ABC.
The Wizards host Miami on Saturday, the first of two remaining meetings for the Southeast Division rivals.
The Knicks visit Memphis on Friday. The Knicks have lost their last five trips to the FedEx Forum.
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