WASHINGTON — Guard John Wall scored 37 points and the Washington Wizards rallied with a 16-0 run in the fourth quarter for a 116-108 win over the Philadelphia 76ers Monday night.
Center Marcin Gortat had 18 points and a career-high 20 rebounds for the Wizards (29-30), who trailed 74-66 after letting a 14-point lead slip away.
Washington won its third straight game and improved to 6-2 since returning from the All-Star break.
Guard Ish Smith scored 25 points and forward Carl Landry had 15 for the 76ers (8-52). Philadelphia has lost nine in a row and 13 of 14. Center Jahlil Okafor, Philadelphia’s top scorer and second-leading rebounder, did not play with a right shin contusion.
Washington forward Markieff Morris had 16 points and 13 rebounds in his first start since acquired Feb. 18 in a trade deadline deal from the Phoenix Suns.
Wall and Gortat scored all 16 points during the decisive surge and 29 of Washington’s 37 fourth quarter points.
With boxing champion Floyd Mayweather courtside, Morris and Wall delivered the knockout blow. They hit consecutive jumpers for a 114-107 led with 22.9 seconds left after Smith’s 3-pointer put the 76ers down three points with 1:09 left.
Despite their relentless tale of woe, the 76ers pushed the playoff hopeful Wizards. After Washington scored the opening basket of the third quarter for a 62-48 lead, Philadelphia zoomed in front with a 26-4 run.
Center Nerlens Noel scored seven of his 11 points during that stretch with a 3-pointer, thunderous putback slam dunk and a banked jumper that put the 76ers up 74-66 with 5:02 left in the period.
Guard Bradley Beal had 16 points for the Wizards. Two of Washington’s three recent victories came against the 76ers. Washington won 103-94 Friday in Philadelphia.
The Wizards’ six-game home-court winning improved their overall record to 16-16 at Verizon Center. Washington dominated the rebounding battle 53-32.
Wall scored 16 points as the Wizards led 60-48 at halftime. Morris had eight points and 10 rebounds in the first half.
Forward Jerami Grant replaced Okafor in the starting lineup and finished with 14 points.
NOTES:
F Nene (soreness) F Alan Anderson (left ankle) and G Gary Neal (sore right leg) all sat out for the Wizards on the second leg of a back-to-back. Anderson played the previous three games after missing the opening 55 following ankle surgery. …F Hollis Thompson (upper respiratory infection) did not play for the 76ers. Thompson is Philadelphia’s leading 3-point shooter at 38.9 …The series finale takes place March 17 in Philadelphia. …Philadelphia returns home for a two-game set starting with the Charlotte Hornets Wednesday. …Washington visits the Minnesota Timberwolves Wednesday. The Wizards play five of their next six games on the road.