NBA -- Wizards catch fire in second half, cruise past Sixers

WASHINGTON -- Otto Porter starred for the Wiz with 22 points while veteran Bradley Beal had 19. Big man Nene added 12 points and six rebounds off the bench as Washington converted 48 of 96 field goals for a high 50 percent rate.

Leading only by two -- 56-54 -- after two quarters, the Wizards blew the contest wide open with a 38-18 third quarter spurt. Washington won the rebounding battle, 47-42, and enjoyed a 36-22 edge on assists.

Isaiah Canaan led all Sixers in scoring with 22 while Jahlil Okafor, the No.1 pick in last June's draft, finished with 12 points. The Sixers shot only 37 of 82 from the field (45.1 percent) and missed 21 of 30 3-point shots.

Photo: Bradley Beal (23 points) helped preside over the Wizards' romp over the Philadelphia 76ers at the Verizon Center.