The senior member of the Big Three hobbled off the court, never to return. Another of the high-scoring trio struggled offensively as a once-solid lead slowly evaporated.
“A couple years ago we would have lost this game,” Wizards forward Jarvis Hayes.
A couple years ago, the Wizards weren’t this good. Or mature.
But they are now, which is why they were able to beat Detroit for the second time in five days, solidifying their spot atop the Eastern Conference standings. The Wizards (27-17) beat the Pistons, 104-99, in front of 20,173 — their 11th sellout of the season.
They won despite losing Antawn Jamison to a first-quarter knee injury. They won despite Caron Butler scoring only 13 points. They won because Gilbert Arenas finished with 36 points and 11 assists. And because DeShawn Stevenson scored 15 points on seven of eight shooting.
“We’ve got a little swagger going,” Stevenson said. “When a team believes in each other and plays hard, you win games.”
Their bench contributed, too, with 29 points as seldom-used Calvin Booth scored four points and played solid interior defense. Washington trailed once, at 3-2. They led by as many as 19 points.
The Wizards are now 23-8 in their last 31 games, with wins over Dallas, Phoenix, the Lakers and Detroit (25-18).
“We’re just playing with big confidence now,” Wizards coach Eddie Jordan said. “I like the way we’re playing, but I always feel like you’re walking on the edge of disaster. … We know how precious and fragile this can be.”
Jamison’s injury could prove that last part right, should he miss more than just a game or two. With him, the Wizards have the highest-scoring trio in the league.
“You can take it for a couple games, but in the long run it wears you down,” Jordan said.
In the long run, the Wizards have big plans.
“We’re trying to bring basketball back to this city,” said Hayes, who scored eight points off the bench. “I think we’re doing it.”
Jamison hurt
» Wizards forward Antawn Jamison injured his left knee in the first quarter and will miss tonight’s game at Toronto. Jamison will undergo an MRI on Thursday to determine the severity of the injury. He hurt the knee in an apparent collision after having a fast-break layup attempt blocked by Richard Hamilton. It’s the same knee Jamison hyperextended a week ago. It’s uncertain who will replace Jamison.
