MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) | JaVale McGee, Washington’s first-round draft choice out of Nevada, had 20 points and eight rebounds Wednesday night to lead the Wizards to a 89-80 preseason victory over the Memphis Grizzlies.
McGee shot 8-for-12 from the field for Washington. Andray Blatche scored 14 points, and DerMarr Johnson had 11.
Rudy Gay scored 21 points on 5-for-19 shooting for Memphis, winless in two games. Hakim Warrick added 16 points, but was 3-for-9 as the Grizzlies shot 35 percent on the night. Greg Buckner finished with 11 for Memphis, and rookie Marc Gasol had 10.
Meanwhile, O.J. Mayo, the third overall pick from Southern Cal, connected on 3 of 11 shots from the field for Memphis and finished with seven points.
The Wizards were without Brendan Haywood, who is awaiting surgery on a torn ligament in his right wrist, and Antawn Jamison, who left Tuesday night’s loss to Dallas with a right knee contusion.
Starting forward Caron Butler also sat out after playing 24-plus minutes against Dallas. Wizards officials said Butler was just resting and had not suffered any injury.
Marko Jaric continued to nurse a broken nose for Memphis, while Darko Milicic is suffering from a strained back, but an MRI was negative.
After having only 12 turnovers in the preseason opener at Houston on Tuesday night, the Grizzlies had 10 by halftime against Washington. They also continued to struggle from the free throw line at 61 percent in the half. The Wizards managed 55 percent before the break.
Washington led 43-35 at the half with both teams shooting under 40 percent.
The Wizards held a 69-59 lead after three periods, and Memphis never got closer than seven the rest of the way.
76ERS 98, CELTICS 92: Lou Williams scored 27 points and Thaddeus Young added 21 to help Philadelphia beat defending NBA champion Boston in the exhibition opener for both teams in Amherst, Mass.
Leon Powe led the Celtics with 12 points, and Tony Allen had 11.
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