Forward scores 15 points in final 3:45, hits jumper at buzzer to drop Indiana
Moments before the opening tip each night at a Wizards home game, a voice comes over the public address imploring fans, “We need some energy. We need some noise.”
In his first game back from a bout with the flu, Caron Butler (35 points, 13 rebounds) scored the last 15 Wizards points over the final 3:45, hitting the winning shot at the buzzer, a 20-foot step-back jumper.T.J. HookerWith the Wiz hot in the third period and threatening to pull away, T.J. Ford (23 points, 7 assists) rescued the Pacers with 14 points, including one on a hook shot, in the final 9:22 of the period, helping turn a seven-point deficit into a four-point lead.King JamisonWizards forward Antawn Jamison (34 points, 6 rebounds) hit 12 of 21 shots from the floor, but took only two in the fourth quarter. Just as well as he turned the reigns over to Butler, who matched his season high in points and rebounds.All-Star PerformanceTrading haymakers with Butler, Pacers forward Danny Granger (29 points), recently named to the All-Star team, hit two 3-pointers in the final 70 seconds. But it was Butler who hit the last shot, over Granger’s outstretched arm.FROM THE BENCH» Wizards coach Ed Tapscott rode the hot hands of Nick Young in the second period, Jamison in the third, and Butler in the fourth.» Jim O’Brien opened with a small lineup. When 6-9 F Mike Dunleavy was hurt in the opening minutes, it got smaller as 6-6 Brandon Rush was used in a three-guard setup.
Sunday night, there was no need to cajole the crowd of 13,708. Wizards forward Caron Butler supplied all the noise.
Scoring 15 straight Wizards points over the final 3 minutes, 45 seconds and hitting the winning 18-foot, step-back jumper at the buzzer, Butler put a spectacular finish on a 119-117 victory over the Indiana Pacers.
Coming off a bout with the flu that put him out of two games, Butler matched his season high in points (35) and rebounds (13). The 6-foot-8 forward dominated down the stretch, hitting six straight shots from the floor as Washington came back from eight points down in the fourth quarter.
Wizards at HawksWhen » Tuesday, 7Where » Philips ArenaTV/Radio » CSN/980 AM
Atlanta (29-21) is in fourth place in the Eastern Conference, but is coming off its most decisive home loss this season, 121-97, Saturday to the lowly Los Angeles Clippers, who hit 57 percent from the floor. The defeat illustrated the importance of PG Mike Bibby (16.1 points per game, 5.1 apg), who missed his first game this season. Bibby (foot) is day-to-day. He and backcourt mate, Joe Johnson (21.4 points per game, 6.1 apg), recently selected for his third All-Star Game, are interchangeable combo guards. F Josh Smith (16.0 ppg, 7.7 rpg) leads an athletic front line that includes F Marvin Williams (14.2 ppg, 6.5 rpg), and C Al Horford (10.4 ppg, 8.4 rpg).
“It was real frustrating being home sick and seeing the team go through what they went through the last two games,” said Butler. “I just really wanted to go out there and compete and help out as much as possible. To get this win means a lot.”
Trailing 107-99 when Brandon Rush (11 points) hit a 3-pointer with 7:48 left, the Wizards rallied for their most improbable victory in a season full of fourth quarter fades. It was just the third time that Washington (11-40) won after trailing in the final period.
After Dominic McGuire triggered the rally with his only shot of the night in 26 minutes, an emphatic put-back slam, Butler scored on seven of the Wizards’ last eight possessions. All of Butler’s baskets in the rally came from at least 16 feet out.
“[Caron] drove the ball and he shot the ball, and they could never get engaged on what he was doing,” said Wizards interim coach Ed Tapscott. “He got hot when we really needed it, and it was the key to us winning big.”
Butler hit a 25-foot 3-pointer with 58 seconds left to tie it, then put the Wizards up, 117-114, with a 26-footer with 21 seconds left. After Pacers forward Danny Granger (29 points) hit a 3-pointer from the top of the key to tie it with 16 seconds left, the Wizards called time.
There wasn’t any doubt who was getting the ball. Washington cleared the right side for Butler, who dribbled the clock down from well outside the circle, drove hard to his right on Granger, stepped back, and hit the winning shot, officially with .9 seconds left. The Wizards swarmed Butler in their most joyous celebration this season.
“When he held the ball until the last five seconds, I knew he was going to take a jump shot because he didn’t have enough time to get all the way to the basket,” said Granger. “Therefore I made sure I had a hand in his face. But he was still able to hit the shot falling down. It was a great shot.”
Indiana (20-32) rode the hot shooting of center Troy Murphy (18 points, 10 rebounds) to a 28-15 lead in the first period. But Washington came back as Nick Young (20 points) scored 17 points on 6 of 7 shooting in the first half, and forward Antawn Jamison (34 points, 6 rebounds) added 21 of his points before intermission.
The Wizards continued their strong play in the third period. Jamison hit a pair of 3-pointers as Washington pushed its lead to 76-69. But in the final 9:22 of the quarter, Indiana guard T.J. Ford (23 points, 7 assists) scored 14 points to transform the deficit into a 94-90 lead.
In the first 2:51 of the fourth quarter, guard Jarrett Jack (16 points) hit two 3-pointers and a pair of free throws to push Indiana’s lead to seven. But that was before Butler stole the show.
“He is very good off the dribble,” said Granger. “He is able to create his own shot anytime he wants and when he gets it going from the 3-point line, he is almost unguardable. In essence, he played a great game tonight, especially in the fourth quarter.”
Notes » Wizards center Darius Songaila scored 13 points in 16 minutes, his playing time limited by foul trouble. Songaila also hit a key turnaround jumper in the lane during the fourth-quarter rally … Wizard forward Andray Blatche (knee) did not play, but was in uniform … Pacers guard Mike Dunleavy played only 3 minutes, 29 seconds, leaving with a knee injury … The 37 points the Wizards gave up in the opening quarter was the second most scored by an opponent in the first period this season. Orlando (38) had the most on Nov. 27.
