Wall's layup helps Wizards hold off Magic, 105-98

ORLANDO, Fla. -- John Wall had 30 points and 12 assists, and the Washington Wizards held off a late surge to beat the Orlando Magic 105-98 on Thursday night.

Marcin Gortat added 20 points and 12 rebounds. All five starters scored in double figures as Washington earned its fifth straight victory over its division rival.

The Magic trailed by three at the half, only to be outscored 28-15 in the third quarter. Orlando recovered in the fourth and rallied to trim what had been a 17-point Washington lead to two with less than a minute to play. But Wall got free for a driving layup to help preserve the victory.

Nik Vucevic led the Magic with 23 points and 12 rebounds.

Orlando finished with 18 turnovers, matching its total from its season opener.

The Wizards played short-handed in their loss to Miami on Wednesday, but got instant help inside Thursday thanks to the return of big man Nene. He was back from a one-game suspension for exiting the bench area during a preseason skirmish between Paul Pierce and Chicago's Joakim Noah.

After logging 30-plus minutes Wednesday, Pierce started a little sluggish in the first half, going just 2 for 5 from the field. He recovered to finish with 16 points.

He got support from the rest of the Wizards starters, who all reached double figures by halftime. The Magic sizzled from the field, shooting 57 percent in the opening 24 minutes, but had 11 early turnovers.

Orlando forward Channing Frye, who signed a four-year deal this offseason, made his first appearance in a Magic uniform after missing the entire preseason with a sprained left medial collateral ligament.

His timing was off at times, though, as he managed just two points in 25 minutes.

---

TIP-INS

Wizards: F Bradley Beal (fractured left wrist) and Martell Webster (back surgery) remained sidelined.

Magic: G Victor Oladipo (facial fracture) and F Kyle O'Quinn (sprained left ankle) also both sat out.

UP NEXT

Washington: hosts Milwaukee in the Wizards' home opener on Saturday.

Orlando: hosts Toronto Saturday.