Washington @ Golden State preview

Last Meeting ( Feb 3, 2020 ) Golden State 125, Washington 117

Red-hot Bradley Beal is trying to will the Washington Wizards back into the playoff chase, and the All-Star guard hopes to continue his scoring surge at the NBA-worst Golden State Warriors on Sunday night. Beal averaged 45 points over his last four outings and 36.2 in February for the Wizards, who are 4 1/2 games out of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with 24 contests to go.

“He’s right there, top 10 players in the league. He does it every night,” Washington coach Scott Brooks told reporters of Beal, who is averaging 30.3 points and a team-high six assists overall. “Brad’s a playmaker, he’s not a scorer. If he wanted to score 35 every night, I’m sure he can. He wants to make the right plays.” The Wizards dropped a 129-119 decision at Utah on Friday to start a four-game road trip and hopes to end a six-game losing streak against the Warriors after suffering a 125-117 setback at home on Feb. 3. Golden State comes in after ending an eight-game losing streak with a 115-99 victory at Phoenix as Eric Paschall led seven players in double figures with 25 points. The Warriors were without standout forward Draymond Green (knee soreness) on Saturday and former MVP Stephen Curry, who was originally scheduled to return from a four-month absence due to a broken left hand Sunday, will be held out a little longer.

TIME: 8:30 p.m. ET. TV: NBCS Washington, NBCS Bay Area, Sportsnet One

ABOUT THE WIZARDS (21-37): Beal scored 42 against Utah on 17-of-33 shooting from the field, including 6-of-15 from 3-point range, but Washington gave up 71 points in the second half and has allowed almost 140 per game in the last four road losses. Forward Davis Bertans is second on the team in scoring (14.9), but managed seven versus the Jazz, and rookie forward Rui Hachimura is next (13.9) after recording 15 on Friday for his fifth straight double-figure effort since the All-Star break. Center Thomas Bryant connected on 7-of-10 shots from the floor to finish with 16 points last time out to boost his season average to 12.4.

ABOUT THE WARRIORS (13-47): Paschall averaged 24 points over the last two games on 17-of-30 shooting and emerging guard Damion Lee is averaging 17.1 over the past seven contests after pouring in 20 against Phoenix. Forward Andrew Wiggins, acquired from Minnesota at the trade deadline, returned after a one-game absence due to back spasms to score 17 on Saturday and is averaging 18.9 in seven games with Golden State. Curry is participating in full scrimmages with the team and is scheduled to practice with Santa Cruz of the NBA G League on Monday, but isn’t expected to return to the court for the Warriors until later this month.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Golden State G Mychal Mulder drained three triples and scored 14 points Saturday in his second NBA contest.

2. Washington G Shabazz Napier is averaging 15.3 points in the last three contests and 10.7 since being acquired Feb. 6 from Minnesota.

3. Warriors G Ky Bowman is expected to miss a few games due to a sprained ankle he sustained in a 116-86 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday.

PREDICTION: Wizards 114, Warriors 104