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Wizards push win streak to 5 with 88-84 victory over Jazz

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - John Wall scored 24 points as the Washington Wizards extended their winning streak to five games with an 88-84 victory over the Utah Jazz.

Wall added six assists and nine rebounds, while Paul Pierce finished with 18 points, including four 3-point baskets, to help Washington end Utah's six-game winning streak.

Gordon Hayward led the Jazz with 26 points, four assists and four rebounds. Derrick Favors added 16 points and nine rebounds, while Rudy Gobert had nine points, 14 rebounds, four assists and two blocks.

The Wizards had to shoot 52.4 percent from the field to overcome 22 turnovers.

Washington led 42-40 at halftime after an odd back-and-forth 24 minutes. The Wizards shot 58.1 percent from the field, but 13 turnovers kept the game close.

The Jazz's numbers were basically the opposite. They shot just 38.1 percent from the field and were 1 for 11 from behind the arc, but had just three turnovers.

TIP-INS

Wizards: Came in averaging 105.0 points and shooting 51.2 percent from the field in the previous four games. ... Had held their last 11 opponents under 100 points. Last time they reached 11 was in 2013. ... The Wizards are 20-1 when shooting 50 percent from the field.

Jazz: Forward Trevor Booker played four seasons with the Wizards. ... Elijah Millsap passed NBA concussion protocol and played against the Wizards. He suffered the injury Monday against the Hornets. ... Rodney Hood leveled off after reaching career highs in the last three of the previous four games. He finished with eight points on 4-for-9 shooting. ... The Jazz were 12 for 24 from the free-throw line.

WALL ROLLING

Wizards point guard John Wall entered the game having averaged 24.3 points, 9.7 assists and 6.0 rebounds in the previous three games. Rangy rookie Dante Exum kept him in check, mostly, in the first half, but he took over with 11 points in the third quarter and timely jumpers in the fourth. Jazz coach Quin Snyder was wary of exactly that before the game.

"He's an All-Star, so he's superior to a 19-year-old kid in a lot of ways," Snyder said. "John Wall, he's just always putting pressure on you. It's a big challenge for Dante. Really, it's a challenge for our whole team because he's so effective in transition. No one guy's going to be able to stay in front of him. He's got to see bodies and you've got to give help."

UP NEXT

Wizards: at Los Angeles Clippers on Friday.

Jazz: at Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday.

Utah Jazz head coach Quin Snyder shouts to his team in the second quarter in an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards Wednesday, March 18, 2015, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer) The Associated Press
Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) shoots as Washington Wizards center Kevin Seraphin (13) defends in the second quarter in an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 18, 2015, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer) The Associated Press
Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) shoots as Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors (15) defends in the second quarter in an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 18, 2015, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer) The Associated Press
Washington Wizards forward Nene Hilario (42) and Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors (15) battle for a loose ball in the second quarter in an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 18, 2015, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer) The Associated Press
Washington Wizards head coach Randy Wittman shouts to his team in the second quarter in an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz Wednesday, March 18, 2015, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer) The Associated Press
Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors (15) shoots against Washington Wizards center Kevin Seraphin (13) in the second quarter in an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 18, 2015, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer) The Associated Press
Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward, right, shoots against Washington Wizards forward Nene Hilario (42) in the first quarter in an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 18, 2015, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer) The Associated Press
Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) defends against Washington Wizards forward Paul Pierce (34) in the first quarter in an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 18, 2015, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer) The Associated Press
Washington Wizards forward Drew Gooden (90) trips Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) in the first quarter in an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 18, 2015, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer) The Associated Press
Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors (15) defends against Washington Wizards forward Nene Hilario, left, in the first quarter in an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 18, 2015, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer) The Associated Press
Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) drives against Utah Jazz guard Dante Exum, left, in the first quarter in an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 18, 2015, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer) The Associated Press
Washington Wizards forward Paul Pierce arrives at EnergySolutions Arena before the start of their NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz Wednesday, March 18, 2015, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer) The Associated Press
Washington Wizards guard John Wall arrives at EnergySolutions Arena before an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz, Wednesday, March 18, 2015, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer) The Associated Press
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