Washington, DC (SportsNetwork.com) - The fourth longest winning streak in Clippers history came to an end in the nation's capital Friday night, as Bradley Beal, John Wall and the Washington Wizards handed Los Angeles a 104-96 defeat at Verizon Center.
Beal scored a season-best 29 points while Wall added 10 points and 11 assists for the Wizards, who have won six in a row at Verizon Center and are off to the best home start (11-2) in franchise history.
Marcin Gortat chipped in with 18 points, and he and Kris Humphries helped limit Blake Griffin to 14 points -- nearly 10 below his season average.
Chris Paul recorded 19 points, seven rebounds and six assists but committed six of LA's 18 turnovers.
"We played a little uncharacteristic tonight," Paul said. "I don't know the last time I had six turnovers."
The Clippers had won nine in a row since a road loss in Memphis on Nov. 23 and were 10-1 in their previous 11 meetings with Washington.
The Wizards, though, jumped out to an early lead and never relinquished it en route to a statement win.
"People are going to start realizing what type of team we are," Beal said. "We're locked in."
They brought a 30-21 advantage into the second quarter, and Wall's 3-pointer in the final minute of the half extended the margin to 57-42.
Gortat put in 12 points in the third quarter, and his jumper with 3:11 left in the frame gave Washington its biggest lead at 75-57.
Beal began the fourth with a 3-pointer and added a tip-in off a turnover for an 85-67 cushion, but five Washington giveaways during a 10-0 run cut the Clippers' deficit to single digits.
Eight was as close as it got, however, as Paul Pierce scored off a backdoor pass from Wall, and Rasual Butler drained a fadeaway to quell LA's momentum.
Game Notes
The Wizards have won seven of their last eight overall ... Wall has posted seven straight games with 10-plus assists ... Washington assisted on 28 of 39 made baskets ... Clippers center Spencer Hawes exited early with a bruised left knee.
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