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Washington Wizards: Huge 3rd-quarter launches Wizards past Knicks

By Christopher Church

Jan 31, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) shoots as New York Knicks center Willy Hernangomez (14) defends during the fourth quarter at Verizon Center. Washington Wizards defeated New York Knicks 117-101. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 31, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) shoots as New York Knicks center Willy Hernangomez (14) defends during the fourth quarter at Verizon Center. Washington Wizards defeated New York Knicks 117-101. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Washington Wizards beat the New York Knicks following a 32-point third quarter outburst as they extend their home winning streak to 15 games.

The Washington Wizards welcomed former Oak Hill Academy star Carmelo Anthony and the New York Knicks to Verizon Center Tuesday night.

Markieef Morris, who has flown under the radar all season, tied a season-high 24 points while shooting 64 percent with 10 rebounds to earn his second double-double in four games.

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The former Kansas Jayhawk closed the month of January averaging 16.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, and shot 48 percent delivering the Wizards with his best month since joining the team.

Wizards’ Bradley Beal welcomed Anthony as the two sharp-shooters battled point for point. In the end, Beal and the Wizards came out of Tuesday’s game with the all-important win as the team continues to rise in the Eastern Conference standings.

Bradley Beal outdueled Anthony scoring 28 points on 12-of-18 shooting to Anthony’s 26 points on 10-of-17 from the field.

The Wizards 117-101 win over the Knicks Tuesday night marks their 28th victory and 20th win at home. With the win, the Wizards now share first place in the Southeast Division with the Atlanta Hawks. As a result, the Wizards are also tied with the Hawks for the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference, which would give the Wizards home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

If the Wizards were to end up winning the Southeast Division, it’d be their first division title under the franchise name, Wizards. In fact, the last time the franchise won a division championship, you have to go all the way back to the 1977-78 Washington Bullets team who eventually went on to win the franchise’s lone NBA title.

The Wizards stretched their home winning streak to an extraordinary 15 games following Tuesday night’s win. Seven is the number of games away from tying the franchise record of 22 straight home victories set in 1974-75. The last time the Wizards lost at home was against the Orlando Magic.

With February upon us, the Wizards closed out the month going 12-4 after back-to-back losses to begin January.

Next: Jackson, Trimble lead Maryland to their 20th win

The Los Angeles Lakers visit Verizon Center Thursday as the Wizards look to extend their winning streak to 16 games.

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