Washington
Philip Maymin
Basketball News Services
Gilbert Arenas was listed as questionable before last night's game against the New Orleans Hornets yet he ended up playing all 48 minutes and scoring 34 points to lead all players. His fellow All-Star reserve Antawn Jamison scored 30, second-highest among all players in the game, and grabbed 12 rebounds, also a game-high, yet they were unable to prevent a 98-96loss to the lowly Hornets.
The Wizards had the two most talented players on the court last night playing on their team but it was the Hornets' depth that did them in in the end. While no Hornet had a monster stat line anywhere near either Jamison's or Arenas's, they had two players grab nine rebounds, and six score in double figures. No Wizard other than Arenas and Jamison scored in double-digits.
Arenas missed a three-pointer as time expired but then again, he was listed as questionable. PJ Brown's offensive rebound on the preceding possession led to free throws by Dan Dickau, the surprising point guard in New Orleans filling in for the injured Baron Davis.
The Wizards play their last game tonight and then Jamison and Arenas head to Denver.
NEXT GAME
The Wizards (30-21, second in the Southeast) play their last game before the All-Star break on the road, visiting the Houston Rockets (31-21, third in the Southwest) TONIGHT. The game starts at 8:30pm Eastern and will be broadcast on CSN and NBA League Pass.
TEAM NOTES
The Wizards had six blocked shots to just two for the Hornets.
They trailed by five entering the fourth quarter before cutting it to two at the end, and almost winning on an Arenas three.
The Wizards outran the Hornets to the tune of an 18-8 edge in fast break points.
INJURY UPDATE
Samaki Walker(back),Larry Hughes(thumb),Kwame Brown (ankle) are all on the injured list.Peter John Ramoswas activated.
The Associated Press writes inMSNBC.com: P.J. Brown refused to take a night off. Playing through a sprained ankle even though his coach advised him to rest, Brown hit two key jumpers in the fourth quarter and came up with a crucial offensive rebound to set up New Orleans’ winning points in a 98-96 victory over the Washington Wizards on Monday night. “I wish we had 12 P.J.s,†Hornets coach Byron Scott said.“He’s the ultimate warrior. I had a gut feeling he wouldn’t be able to play after watching him last night. That just shows what type of character he has.â€
Brett Marter of The Associated Press writes inThe Washington Times: Gilbert Arenas has hit enough big shots for the Washington Wizards this season to gain him a spot on the Eastern Conference All-Star team, but he might remember one he didn't hit last night.Although Arenas scored 34 points, his potential game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer bounced off the front of the rim as the hapless New Orleans Hornets escaped with a 98-96 victory.
The Washington Timeswrites: 17 Missed 3-point shots for the Wizards, who made just five of 22. Gilbert Arenas was a miserable two of 12 from behind the arc... The Wizards activated 7-foot-3 rookie center Peter John Ramos and placed forward Samaki Walker on the injured list with a lower back strain.
Samantha Sordyl ofThe Washington Postwrites: To District high school senior Doncarroll Green, a Wizards basketball game last year meant more than just a night out.The event also gave the 18-year-old a shot at boosting his resume. A prearranged meeting at halftime with MCI Center video and sound production staff landed Green an after-school internship. That netted the Duke Ellington School of the Arts student several opportunities to help out at games, assisting with sound feeds and equipment setup. A good start for a kid who hopes one day to run a company managing music artists or creating sound for movies.