WASHINGTON — Guard John Wall had 18 points and 10 assists, guard Bradley Beal also scored 18 as the Washington Wizards snapped a recent home funk with a 106-87 win over the Miami Heat Wednesday night.
Washington (20-21) lost two straight and five of six home games starting with a 97-75 debacle against Miami on Jan. 3. Six Wizards scored in double figures, including forward Nene, who had 16 points and a season-high with five steals. Center Marcin Gortat finished with 15 points and 12 rebounds.
Washington outscored Miami 25-15 in the second quarter for a 51-37 halftime lead and put the game away with a 15-4 run in the second half for its largest lead at 92-68.
Soon after that impressive win in Washington earlier this month, things turned south for the South Florida squad. Miami (23-20) lost three in a row and six of seven. Forward Chris Bosh scored 18 points.
The Heat opened their five-game road trip without starting guards Dwyane Wade and Goran Dragic. Wade sat out with a sore shoulder after playing in Tuesday’s 91-79 home loss against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Another key player exited during the game. Miami center Hassan Whiteside left in the second quarter with an oblique injury and did not return.
Miami shot 48.5 percent from the field. Without their primary ball handlers, the Heat committed 21 turnovers — 16 in the first half — which the Wizards turned into 27 points. Forward Luol Deng had 16 points and guard Tyler Johnson added 14.
Whiteside’s defense keyed the victory earlier this month. Without the 7-footer around most of the game, Washington shot 52.3 percent from the field and scored 46 points in the paint. Guard Garrett Temple scored 11 points and forward Jared Dudley had 10 off the bench. Nene made his first start of the season alongside Gortat.
Both teams entered the third of four head-to-head meetings slumping and battered.
Four Wizards, including small forward Otto Porter (hip) were unavailable. Washington leads the NBA in missed games due to injury.
Wade joined the quartet of injured players, including forward Josh McRoberts (bruised right knee), that sat out against the Bucks.
Miami played without four players in the second straight game the Heat finished with fewer than 80 points.
Amar’e Stoudamire replaced Whiteside at center starting the second half. He scored a season-high 11 points.
NOTES: The Wizards entered Wednesday last in opponents’ field goal percentage (47.3) and 3-point percentage (40.1) at home. … Miami played without F Chris Andersen (knee) and G Beno Udrih (neck strain). … Wizards F Kris Humphries (sore right knee) missed his ninth straight game. … Washington won 114-103 in Miami on Dec. 7. … The series wraps up Feb. 20 in Miami. … The Heat visit Toronto on Friday. The Heat and Raptors split two previous games this season, both in Miami. …Washington plays host to the Utah Jazz on Saturday in the fourth of five straight home games.