Elbows and expletives were flying Wednesday night at Verizon Center. The Washington Wizards and Boston Celtics, both with postseason berths assured, were playing as if it mattered.
In a possible preview of a second-round playoff series, the Wizards halted the Celtics’ seven-game winning streak, 109-95, as Washington’s Big Three of Antawn Jamison (27 points, 11 rebounds), Caron Butler (13 points, 10 assists, 7 rebounds), and Gilbert Arenas (13 points in 24 minutes) out-dueled Boston’s high-profile trio before 20,173.
“If the match-up would come to be in the second round, it gives us confidence to know we can match up with them,” said Jamison, “We’ve taken their best shot. Things will be even more intensified when the playoffs start.”
Boston (62-16) has clinched the top seed in the Eastern Conference, but played All-Stars Paul Pierce (28 points, 7 assists), Kevin Garnett (22 points, 14 rebounds) and Ray Allen (13 points) deep into the fourth quarter.
Bad blood was evident in the third period when Jamison and Garnett jostled on a routine trip down the floor. Jamison had just burned the fellow All-Star with an explosive baseline move and one-handed slam. It was part of a 10-point run that included two other baskets by Jamison and gave the Wizards the lead for good, 67-58.
“He’s not gonna back down, just like I’m not gonna back down,” said Jamison. “We have a mutual amount of respect toward one another. That’s just how it is. Any time you go against KG, you know you have to match his energy.”
The Wizards also got contributions from DeShawn Stevenson (14 points), who sealed it with two late 3-pointers, Brendan Haywood (12 points), and reserves Darius Songaila (10 points, 5 rebounds), and Andray Blatche (9 points).
