OAKLAND, California: Bradley Beal scored 18 of his 20 points in the second half, and John Wall had 15 points and eight rebounds to lead the Washington Wizards past the Golden State Warriors 88-85 on Tuesday night.

Washington’s terrific tandem outplayed and outhustled Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson when it mattered most in a matchup of two of the NBA’s best young backcourts.

Beal, who was 1-of-7 shooting in the first half, finished 8 of 19 from the floor to go with seven rebounds and four assists. Wall hit a tiebreaking 3-pointer with 1:28 remaining, and the Wizards forced the Warriors into several difficult shots in the closing moments.

Stephen Curry scored 23 points before missing a contested left-handed 3-pointer as time expired, and Thompson had 13 points and six rebounds for the streaky Warriors.

Rockets 97, Spurs 90: Dwight Howard finished with 23 points and 16 rebounds, overcoming a frustrating personal offensive effort that included missing 10-of-15 shots, as Houston defeated San Antonio 97-90.

The Spurs (33-12) led 46-39 at the break the advantage evaporated quickly as the Rockets (30-17) out-scored San Antonio 33-18 in the third quarter.

The Rockets improved to 3-0 against the Spurs this season with the visitors paced by Boris Diaw, who scored 22 points and 11 rebounds.

Pelicans 100, Cavaliers 89

Anthony Davis led all scorers with 30 points, seven rebounds and eight blocks in the New Orleans Pelicans’ victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Eric Gordon added 20 points, seven rebounds and a game-high nine assists for the Pelicans (19-25), who have now won three in a row.

Guard Kyrie Irving paced the Cavaliers (16-29) with 23 points and five assists.

Knicks 114, Celtics 88:

The New York Knicks got revenge for their worst loss of the season from the Boston Celtics by romping over their Atlantic Division rivals.

Boston (15-32) defeated the Knicks by 41 points, 114-73, on Dec. 8.

In the rematch, Carmelo Anthony led the Knicks with 24 points, despite sitting out the fourth quarter of the blowout, and the Knicks (18-27) evened their eight-game homestand at 3-3.

Pistons 103, Magic 87:

Brandon Jennings scored 20 points — the fourth straight game he has reached the 20-point mark — and the Detroit Pistons snapped a four-game losing streak with a romp past the Orlando Magic.

Josh Smith contributed 16 points for the Pistons (18-27) while guard Victor Oladipo’s haul of 19 led the Magic (12-34).

Grizzlies 98, Trail Blazers 81: The Memphis Grizzlies led from start to finish in a pounding of the Portland Trail Blazers.

Forward Zach Randolph had 23 points and 10 rebounds, and guard Mike Conley contributed 19 points and seven assists for the Grizzlies (23-20).

Memphis won for the eighth time in the past nine contests.

LaMarcus Aldridge collected 27 points and 16 rebounds for the Trail Blazers (33-13). Portland lost its second consecutive game.

Pacers 104, Lakers 92: The Indiana Pacers bounced back from a disappointing road loss to beat the Los Angeles Lakers.

Six Indiana players scored in double figures, led by forward David West, who had 19 points and eight rebounds as the Pacers (35-9) recovered from their 109-96 road loss to the Denver Nuggets on Saturday.

The Lakers (16-30) suffered to their fifth consecutive defeat despite 21 points apiece from Pau Gasol and guard Jodie Meeks.