WASHINGTON, Jan. 17 (UPI) -- Marcin Gortat gave Washington a five-point lead with 2:50 to play Friday and even though they did not score again the Wizards held on to defeat Chicago 96-93.
Neither side managed a point over the final 2:30 and Nene ultimately clinched the victory by blocking a 3-point attempt by Jimmy Butler just before the buzzer.
The Wizards won their third in a row to climb to the .500 mark.
Washington shot 51 percent from the field with John Wall leading the way by scoring 24 points and dealing out 10 assists. Bradley Beal added 14 points for the Wizards, while both Gortat and Martell Webster had 13.
Kirk Hinrich paced the Bulls with 18 points and D.J. Augustin had 16. Chicago has lost two out of three after winning five in a row.
