Wizards 106, Lakers 101 Verizon Center’s annual transformation into Staples Center East was even more pronounced than usual. The sellout was brimming with scores of purple-and-gold clad Los Angeles Lakers fans. The chants of “M-V-P!” started as soon as Kobe Bryant stepped to the line moments into the first quarter. The Wizards faced a depressing double-digit deficit before that quarter had ended.

Then, miraculously, it was gone, replaced by fans and a team that belonged to Washington again. And when it was clear that the Wizards (9-29), having been down 21 points midway through the third quarter, would end a nine-game losing streak to the Lakers (23-16) with a stunning bench-led comeback and 106-101 victory, it was chants of “Beat L.A.” that echoed throughout.