Wall has 19 assists, Wizards beat Sacramento 113-99

WASHINGTON (AP) -- John Wall had fewer teammates than usual Monday night, yet he located more Washington Wizards than ever.

Wall had a career-high 19 assists and also scored 12 points, Marcin Gortat had 27 points and 16 rebounds along with the Wizards beat the Sacramento Kings 113-99 on Monday night.

With injuries limiting the Wizards to eight players, Wall was just 4-for-15 shooting but completed with assists on nearly half of Washington's 42 baskets. He also repeatedly identified the 6-foot-11 Gortat for shots near the hoop. The center made 12 baskets - nine off of passes from Wall.

''He has to understand, when I penetrate to the basket, he's going to get the ball most of the time,'' Wall said. ''I think tonight he was able to finish. The other evening he missed a couple of easy chippies but tonight he was being extra aggressive.''

Gortat made Sacramento center DeMarcus Cousins run a lot and was able to get past him. That's why Gortat came up with a lot of lay-ups or shots from in close.

''He got out and ran all evening long,'' Washington coach Randy Wittman said of Gortat. ''He had four or five lay-ups just by outrunning ... (but) we got out and ran, moved the ball. John orchestrated a lot of that.''

Wittman had a short bench to work with - four players played over 36 minutes, and DeJuan Blair played just 39 seconds at the end. But six Wizards finished in double figures, thanks often to Wall's good passing.

Garrett Temple added a career-high 23 points while Ramon Sessions (15 points) and Kris Humphries (15) also pitched in.

The one who didn't make double figures, Kelly Oubre, Jr., came close. The rookie completed with eight points plus six rebounds.

Gortat set a new season high for points by halftime with 21 as the Wizards took a 63-59 lead at the break.

Washington led throughout much of the third quarter until the Kings finished with the period's final eight points for an 84-84 tie. The Wizards then took command by scoring the first (vist NBA 2k16 MT coins) eight points of the fourth quarter - even though Gortat was out.

View gallery WASHINGTON, DC -  DECEMBER 21: Rajon Rondo #9 of the Sacramento Kings handles the ball against the …

''I thought we did a hell of a job until the beginning of the fourth,'' Kings coach George Karl said. ''They went up eight on us and that fatigued us.''

The Wizards outscored the Kings 29-15 in that final quarter. Overall, (come to 2k16 MT) Cousins led Sacramento with 22 points while Rudy Gay added 16.

This is the only time the Kings come to Washington this season. The Wizards head to Sacramento on March 30.

A LITTLE SORE

Wall came out in the final minute being bothered by sore ribs after getting hit. He said he'll just keep getting treatment every day. ''They're pretty (vist nbamtcoin.com) sore (now),'' Wall said.