Eastern Conference Recaps, Feb. 8: Kristaps Porzingis’ Big Game Leads The Washington Wizards Past Charlotte Hornets

The Washington Wizards snapped a three-game losing streak in their 118-104 victory against the Charlotte Hornets. Kristaps Porzingis led the way with 36 points while matching his career-high with eight 3-pointers.

“A lot of it is in the mind, you know,” Porzingis said. “I just knew that I was going to shoot the ball well. Even after the first half I was like, second half, it's going down.”

Deni Avdija had 20 points and 13 rebounds and Bradley Beal had 17 points and 10 assists upon his return from a two-game absence.

All five Hornets starters scored in double-figures but it was P.J. Washington who led the way with 20 points. Terry Rozier had 19 points and LaMelo Ball had 16.

NEXT WIZARDS GAME AGAINST THE HEAT: Apr. 7 in Washington

NEXT HORNETS GAME AGAINST THE HEAT: Feb. 25 in Charlotte

OTHER NOTES:

-All five Toronto Raptors starters scored in double-figures in their 112-98 victory against the San Antonio Spurs, giving them their 10th straight loss. It was the second time this season the Spurs have lost at least 10 straight games.

Pascal Siakam led the Raptors with 37 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists. Fred VanVleet had 16 points and Chris Boucher had 18 points and 11 rebounds off the bench.

Keldon Johnson led the Spurs with 22 points and Josh Richardson had 14 points.

NEXT RAPTORS GAME AGAINST THE HEAT: Mar. 28 in Toronto

-The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Detroit Pistons 113-85 behind Jarrett Allen’s 20 points and 14 rebounds. Evan Mobley had 19 points and Caris LeVert had 15. Bojan Bogdanovic led the Pistons with 15 points and rookie Jalen Duren had 14.

NEXT CAVALIERS GAME AGAINST THE HEAT: Mar. 8 at Miami

NEXT PISTONS GAME AGAINST THE HEAT: Mar. 19 in Detroit

-When Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown struggled, Derrick White scored 19 points to lead the NBA-best Boston Celtics to a 106-99 victory against the Philadelphia 76ers. Blake Griffin and Grant Williams had 15 points while Malcolm Brogdon led all reserves with 19.

Joel Embiid led the 76ers with 28 points and James Harden had 26 points and 11 assists.

NEXT 76ERS GAME AGAINST THE HEAT: Feb. 27 in Philadelphia

Cory Nelson is a contributor to Inside The Heat. He attended Northern Virginia Community College. He can be reached at corymckenzienelson@hotmail.com or follow him on Twitter @CKenzyNelson. You can also check out his personal blog: https://substack.com/profile/114079068-cory-nelson?utm_source=account-card