NBA: Wizards edge Blazers, halt 9-game skid

Alex Sarr recorded 29 points, 12 rebounds, and six blocks as the Washington Wizards snapped their nine-game losing streak with a 115-111 win over the visiting Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday night.

Khris Middleton and Kyshawn George each scored 19 points for Washington, which earned its first win since Jan. 6. Tre Johnson added 18 points. The Wizards pulled off the victory despite being outrebounded 69-46 in a tightly contested game featuring six ties and 19 lead changes.

For Portland, Shaedon Sharpe led the way with 31 points. Deni Avdija contributed 17 points and 12 rebounds in the Blazers’ third straight loss.

Thunder 104, Pelicans 95

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 29 points to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder past New Orleans at home, ending a two-game losing streak and halting the Pelicans’ two-game winning streak.

Chet Holmgren was key in the third quarter, scoring 14 of his 20 points and grabbing seven of his 14 rebounds in the period. He finished with five blocks and three assists.

Zion Williamson tallied 21 points and 11 rebounds for the Pelicans, while Saddiq Bey added 16 points and 13 boards.

Knicks 103, Kings 87

Karl-Anthony Towns hit a clutch 3-pointer early in the fourth quarter as the New York Knicks pulled away from the Sacramento Kings. Towns finished with 17 points and 11 rebounds in New York’s third consecutive win. The Knicks outscored Sacramento 31-15 in the final quarter, with Jalen Brunson scoring 11 of his 28 points in the last 3:48.

DeMar DeRozan led the Kings with 34 points, while Domantas Sabonis added 11 points, 12 rebounds, and seven assists. Sacramento has now dropped six straight games after a four-game winning streak.

76ers 139, Bucks 122

Paul George scored 32 points, and Joel Embiid added 29 to lead the Philadelphia 76ers past the visiting Milwaukee Bucks. George hit 9 of 15 from beyond the arc as the Sixers recorded their 25th win, surpassing last season’s total. Tyrese Maxey contributed 22 points and nine assists, while VJ Edgecombe added 12 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists.

For Milwaukee, Myles Turner had 31 points, and Ryan Rollins scored 24. Bobby Portis added 17 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists. The Bucks were without Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf).

Pistons 109, Nuggets 107

Cade Cunningham tallied 22 points and 11 assists, and Tobias Harris also scored 22 points, including two clutch free throws with two seconds left, as Detroit beat Denver. Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson each added 14 points for the Pistons, who have won nine of their past 11 games.

Jamal Murray led the Nuggets with 24 points but missed two late free throws that could have forced overtime.

Suns 106, Nets 102

Mark Williams scored a season-high 27 points, and Dillon Brooks added 26 as Phoenix held off Brooklyn for a home win. Grayson Allen scored 14 of his 18 points in the second half, with a driving layup with 12 seconds remaining capping a decisive 10-2 run.

Michael Porter Jr. had a season-high 36 points, including six 3-pointers for the Nets, who lost their sixth straight game.

Clippers 115, Jazz 103

Kawhi Leonard scored 21 points, and James Harden added 16 points with 10 assists as the Los Angeles Clippers beat Utah in Salt Lake City. Kris Dunn and Brook Lopez contributed 14 points each, and the Clippers forced 17 turnovers, scoring 23 points off them. Dunn and Harden combined for nine steals.

Ace Bailey led the Jazz with 20 points, while Lauri Markkanen added 19. Utah has won just once in its past eight games and played without Keyonte George (rest) and Jusuf Nurkic (illness). Markkanen returned after missing seven games due to illness.

—Field Level Media/Reuters