Wall weaves wizardry, but magic has deserted Ball

WASHINGTON - Los Angeles Lakers point guard Lonzo Ball's cold-shooting start to his NBA career just keeps getting worse. For a change, the Washington Wizards managed to play the sort of defense that contributes to limiting an opponent's scoring.

John Wall and the Wizards managed to make a double-digit edge hold up against the Lakers this time, with the All-Star point guard scoring 23 points and Bradley Beal adding 22 while Washington held Ball to 3 for 12 on field-goal tries in a 111-95 victory over LA on Thursday night.

"They had an off shooting night," Wizards coach Scott Brooks said, "but we participated in that."