WASHINGTON (AP) - After four decades as a college coach, John Beilein is eight games into his first NBA season with the Cleveland Cavaliers, and on Friday night, he recorded his first win on the road.
Tristan Thompson had 21 points and 12 rebounds, Kevin Love added 16 points and 12 boards, and the Cavaliers beat the Washington Wizards 113-100 to end a three-game skid.
Seven Cavaliers scored at least 10 points as Cleveland improved to 3-5.
“It’s always great to get a road win,” Beilein said. “I don’t care what type of team you have. They guys needed it. When you win somewhere else, it’s always special.”
Thomas Bryant led Washington with 23 points. Rui Hachimura scored 21 and Bradley Beal had 20 while the Wizards fell to 2-6.
“We didn’t defend,” Beal said. “That’s what happened.”
Collin Sexton also had 16 points for Cleveland, and rookies Darius Garland and Kevin Porter Jr. had career highs with 15 and 13, respectively.
Cleveland led throughout and used an 11-0 run to take a 41-28 lead with 9:19 remaining in the second quarter. The lead grew to 20, but thanks to Hachimura’s 15 points on 7 for 7 from the field, Washington cut the lead to 67-52 at the half.
Cleveland’s 10-0 run put them ahead 77-56 early in the third, but the Wizards outscored them 28-11 and trailed by just 88-84 entering the fourth quarter
Washington closed to 91-90 on Moe Wagner’s layup with 9:39 to play, but Cleveland outscored Washington 22-10 the rest of the way. Thompson had three key baskets in the last two minutes.
Wizards coach Scott Brooks, who was assessed a technical foul for the second straight game, felt the key to the game was Cleveland’s attempting 29 free throws to Washington’s six.
“It’s hard to overcome,” Brooks said.
Brooks wouldn’t explicitly criticize the officiating.
“Every time I’ve complained, they say they have the call right,” Brooks said.
TIP INS
Cavaliers: G Jordan Clarkson was called for a technical foul in the fourth quarter, but Beal missed the free throw.
Wizards: F Troy Brown started for the first time this season. He scored three points in 19 minutes. Isaac Bonga started the first seven games of the season but didn’t play Friday. … G Justin Robinson and F Admiral Schofield were recalled from the G League. … Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo was introduced to the crowd and got an ovation nine days after his team won the World Series.
BACK TO SCHOOL
Beilein coached Wagner at Michigan. Wagner, who played for the Los Angeles Lakers last season, said it was “weird” playing against his college coach.
“Moe is special to me,” Beilein said. “There’s no doubt about it. It’s hard to play against him. I hoped he missed every shot tonight. The other games are fine.”
Wagner had eight points and committed four fouls in 14 minutes.
“I hope I get another chance to go against him,” Wagner said.
UP NEXT
Cavaliers: Visit the New York Knicks on Sunday in the second of a three-game road trip.
Wizards: Visit Boston on Wednesday in the first of a three-game road trip.
___
More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
Please read our comment policy before commenting.