Washington
Philip Maymin
Basketball News Services
Of the four games that Miami swept over Washington this season, yesterday's had to be the toughest. Washington had led virtually all the way and was up one with 33 seconds to go, and with Shaquille O'Neal sitting on the bench, having fouled out. All they had to do was get a stop. With a two-trick pony, and one of the tricks out, all the attention was focused on Dwyane Wade. Wade drove to the basket, the defense collapsed on him, and he tossed it out to Damon Jones for a wide open three. The Wizards went on to lose 98-93.
On the ensuing possession, Antawn Jamison tried to make a shot but was blocked by Christian Laettner, and then Damon Jones was fouled and hit both free throws to make it a five-point victory.
The Wizards had led by as many as ten and had controlled the game and played physical. They got Shaq to foul out rather than Brendan Haywood, and you'd think that should be enough. But no.
Saying that this one was a tough one to lose is an understatement," said Wizards head coach Eddie Jordan. "It was one of those nights where you seem like you're not getting the break, whether it's a loose ball or a call. You're going to have nights like that in the NBA."
But Wade was impressed with Washington's resolve and their deeper talent. "They have three guys who can really fill it up," he said. "That's what we're trying to get every night, a consistent three guys. This is a team that not only can score but they're very scrappy."
Jordan is just happy he doesn't have to scrap against the Heat any more in the regular season.
Though who knows what the playoffs might bring.
NEXT GAME
What a way to go. After two consecutive losses to the Heat, the Wizards (12-8, second in the Southeast) now travel to the Western Conference on a five-game, nine-day road trip. It starts with the Lakers (12-9, third in the Pacific) tomorrow night, Friday, December 17th. The game starts at 10:30pm Eastern and will be broadcast on CSN and NBA League Pass.
TEAM NOTES
Thomas, Ramos Contribute to Carribean Relief Fund: Wizards duo join eight other NBA players who have donated more than $100,000 to UNICEF for hurricane relief efforts.
Wizards Magazine recently got together with Etan Thomasto catch up with the center, who has missed the first 19 games of the season with an abdominal strain.
INJURY UPDATE
Peter John Ramos(knee),Steve Blake(foot), andEtan Thomas (abdominal) are all on the injured list.
Don Markus ofThe Baltimore Sunwrites: It was a heartbreaking defeat for Washington (12-8), which led for most of the game and by as many as 10 points with 2:44 left in the third quarter."Saying this one was a tough one to lose is an understatement," Wizards coach Eddie Jordan said. "We competed very hard, we were physical, we played unselfishly, and we competed at the highest level. We had a few breakdowns down the stretch and they took advantage."
John N. Mitchell ofThe Washington Timeswrites: "That's the biggest thing," Antawn Jamison said of this season's shutout against Miami. "You hate to get swept by any team once you look at the opportunities that were there. It's kind of hard to swallow. But situations like this build character and make you stronger and make you not want to have this feeling again."
Michael Lee ofThe Washington Postwrites: The Washington Wizards are done with the Miami Heat for the regular season, but there will be no celebration. Not after Dwyane Wade came back to MCI Center to remind the Wizards that he -- not Shaquille O'Neal -- is the Heat's leading scorer. Not after O'Neal fouled out in the final minute and left Wade and guard Damon Jones to finish off the Wizards. Not after the Wizards blew a 10-point second-half lead, and a one-point lead with 33 seconds left, and lost to Miami for the fourth time this season -- and eighth straight time overall -- by 98-93 before 18,234 at MCI Center. "What is there to be happy about?" point guard Gilbert Arenas said. "Four of our eight losses are to them."