WASHINGTON (AP) — Just when it looked as if Washington’s defense was going the cost the team a victory, the Wizards found a way to hold on.
Bradley Beal scored 30 points, and Washington held off Zach LaVine and the Chicago Bulls for a 126-114 win on Tuesday night.
LaVine scored 19 of his 41 points in the fourth quarter, helping the Bulls whittle an 18-point deficit down to six points. His 3 made it 114-108 with 1:54 left, but the Wizards responded with six straight points.
“I thought we kept the pace up,” said Wizards point guard Ish Smith, who had nine assists and no turnovers. “Defensively, we did a great job. Zach went a little crazy towards the end, but we did a great job on both ends.”
Rui Hachimura added 20 points for Washington, which won for the fourth time in six games. Shabazz Napier and Ian Mahinmi had 15 apiece.
LaVine shot 15 of 21 from the field, including 8 for 11 from 3-point range. He is slated to compete in the 3-point contest during the All-Star festivities in Chicago this weekend.
“LaVine makes big shots,” Wizards coach Scott Brooks said. “He made shots that were contested. We try to take it out of his hands (but) he was still able to shoot between the two defenders — but that’s what he does.”
Tomas Satoransky added 19 points for Chicago, which enters the break on a six-game losing streak. The Bulls had won four straight versus Washington.
“I thought it took us too long to get our defensive legs underneath us,” coach Jim Boylen said.
The Wizards led by seven at halftime and Beal’s 3-pointer capped a quick 9-2 burst to open the third quarter.
Four straight points by Mahinmi finished a 10-0 run that gave Washington its biggest lead at 94-73 with 4:17 left in the third.
“We just gave them everything that they wanted in the third quarter,” LaVine said. “In transition they exploited our defense, played it well, and they got second chance points, too. You can’t keep up with that.”
Chicago rallied to start the fourth, and LaVine’s five straight points capped a 13-3 run that made it 103-95 with 6:48 remaining.
