The defensive reputation belonged to Chicago. The key defensive stops did not.
And the Wizards proved that, when needed, they, too, can play defense.
They also proved they don’t need Gilbert Arenas to score a bundle of points to win a big game.
Arenas had an off night, but his teammates did not as the Wizards (20-14) beat visiting Chicago, 113-103, Wednesday night. Caron Bulter had 26 points and 10 boards.
“The supporting cast did a great job,” Arenas, held to 20 points on five of 16 shooting, said with a laugh.
They also showed how dangerous Washington can be when others not in the Big Three are on. Antonio Daniels and Jarvis Hayes scored a combined 25 points off the bench. DeShawn Stevenson scored eight of his 13 points in the opening minutes of the third quarter.
“We know it’s not a one-man show,” center Brendan Haywood said. “But we don’t want [Arenas] to have too many off nights.”
Though Arenas did not shoot well, coach Eddie Jordan praised him for his defense, calling it “one of his best defensive games of the year.” But he wasn’t alone as the Wizards took control with a 12-0 run midway through the fourth quarter. Washington forced three turnovers in this stretch.
The defense triggered transition baskets as the Wizards used their speed to penetrate or get good looks. For the game, Washington forced 19 turnovers and held Chicago (20-16) to 42.1 percent shooting.
“We are making the defensive stops when it matters,” Daniels said. “We didn’t play great defense tonight, but it was good enough when it counted.”
Hoop notes
» Center Etan Thomas returned to the lineup for the first time since hurting his ankle on Dec. 9. Thomas finished with five points and two rebounds in 16 minutes. Starting center Brendan Haywood had four points and seven boards in 29 minutes.
» Guard Gilbert Arenas was fouled 79 feet from the basket with 2.1 seconds left in the first quarter — and the official ruled he was in the act of shooting. Arenas said he heard Bulls coach Scott Skiles telling his players they had a foul to give. So when Kirk Hinrich went to foul Arenas, he quickly tossed the ball in the air. Skiles was incensed with the call, drawing a technical foul.
