Randle, Knicks outmuscle Beal-less Wizards in win
WASHINGTON (AP) — Julius Randle had 24 points and 18 rebounds, and the New York Knicks cruised to a 109-91 victory over the cold-shooting Washington Wizards on Friday night.
Derrick Rose scored 14 points in 20 efficient minutes off the bench in his second game for the Knicks, who stopped a two-game skid.
Russell Westbrook had 23 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists for the Wizards, who lacked a reliable second option with NBA scoring leader Bradley Beal sitting out to rest for the first time this season. Washington had its second-lowest points total of the season.
The Knicks dominated inside, with a 58-42 advantage in points in the paint and a 65-46 edge in rebounding. Mitchell Robinson had 10 points and 14 rebounds, all in the first half before leaving in the second half with a fractured right hand.
The Wizards shot 38.2% overall and 9 of 34 (26.5%) from 3-point range against the league's best scoring defense.
Washington got within three points midway through the third quarter, but Randle responded with a 3-pointer and New York bridged the third and fourth quarters with a 14-0 run to put the game away.
Westbrook missed a layup to start the fourth quarter, paused under the basket and jogged to the other end as Immanuel Quickley took a pass by Rose and buried a 3-pointer. Rose followed that with a jumper to give the Knicks a 20-point lead.
TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES
The game was delayed for about nine minutes between the first and second quarters because of a malfunctioning video replay monitor at the scorers’ table. Westbrook entertained the nonexistent crowd by dancing in the tunnel during the break.
TIP-INS
Knicks: Quickley finished with 16 points. ... Frank Ntilikina missed his second straight game because of COVID-19 contact tracing. Coach Tom Thibodeau said Ntilikina continues to test negative. ... Faced Washington for the only time in the first half of the season.
Wizards: Coach Scott Brooks said Beal was not injured and Washington's upcoming schedule made Friday a good night to rest him. The Wizards close out February with nine games in 15 days, including a West Coast trip. ... With Beal out, Garrison Mathews got his first career start, made four 3-pointers and scored 14 points. Mathews, an undrafted, second-year player out of Lipscomb, came in as a career 40.2% 3-point shooter. He led the Wizards with 22 points in the only other game Beal missed this season, a 128-124 loss to Miami on Jan. 9. ... Ish Smith left at halftime with quad tightness.
UP NEXT
Knicks: Host Houston on Saturday night.
Wizards: Host Boston on Sunday.
___
Follow Ben Nuckols at https://twitter.com/APBenNuckols
___
More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports