Washington
Philip Maymin
Basketball News Services
The Sixers were without an Answer last night as the Wizards popped the question 117-107to win their fourth game in a row. Gilbert Arenas scored a game-high 33 points, dished out a game-high nine assists, and nabbed a game-high-tying three steals. He also banked in a shot from about 70 feet away to end the first quarter. Do you see the pattern? That's right: the MCI Center is Gilbert's Arena.
Juan Dixon had another late-game flurry, scoring 14 of his 22 points in the fourth quarter to help put the game away. Antawn Jamison added a solid 23 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists. The Wizards withstood a career-high 32 points from Iverson replacement Willie Green.
The Wizards dominated the offensive glass, grabbing 17 offensive rebounds to just 8 for Philadelphia. Every Wizards starter had at least one offensive rebound. Jared Jefferies and Michael Ruffin each got a team-high four offensive rebounds. Philadelphia' Samuel Dalembert got the game-high with six but only one of his teammates (Kenny Thomas with two) had even one other offensive rebound.
The difference in boards, plus the superb perimeter defense that led to steals and forced turnovers, meant that the Wizards had 19 more shot attempts than the Sixers. And though the Wiz were just 6-for-19 on those extra shots, six more made field goals will win it for you every time.
NEXT GAME
The Wizards (26-15, second in the Southeast) have a back-to-back road-and-home set with the Orlando Magic (22-19, third in the Southeast) this weekend, starting with the away game on Friday, January 28th, 2005. The game starts at 7:00pm Eastern and will be broadcast on Comcast Sports Net and NBA League Pass.
TEAM NOTES
Wizards Magazinerecently got together with guard Juan Dixonwho has provided a spark in the absence of Larry Hughes.
INJURY UPDATE
Peter John Ramos(knee),Larry Hughes(thumb),Kwame Brown (ankle) are all on the injured list.Steve Blake was activated and played four minutes.
Michael Wilbon ofThe Washington Postwrites: It's become habitual, Arenas bringing people to their feet.Please, don't tell me about Iverson not playing when Larry Hughes is on the shelf for the Wizards. It's ironic that Hughes's busted thumb, the injury that will keep him out for another month or so, is what might just let Arenas slide into a spot in the All-Star Game. Either way, there's no asterisk next to Washington's 117-107 victory. They're 11 games over .500 (26-15) for the first time in 26 years. They're the most fun to watch team this side of Phoenix.
John N. Mitchell ofThe Washington Timeswrites: Key number 6½Games the Wizards would lead the Atlantic Division by had they not been moved to the Southeast Division.
John N. Mitchell ofThe Washington Timeswrites: The Wizards (26-15) have one more win than they did last season with half the 82-game regular-season schedule remaining.Washington's fourth consecutive win was also its eighth in a row at MCI Center, matching the longest home winning streak since it was opened in December 1997.