Washington rallies past New York with 15-0 stretch run
For one night in the Washington Wizards’ long, frustrating season, magic returned to the Verizon Center.
No, we’re not talking about illusionists Quick Change, who entertained at halftime. For once, it was the Wizards who conjured up a clutch stretch run to rally past the New York Knicks, 96-89, before 17,526 Friday night.
Reeling off 15 straight points in the final 2 minutes, 37 seconds, Washington did to New York what so many opponents have done to the Wizards.
Guard Mike James (19 points) hit a pair of 3-pointers from the top of the key and forward Caron Butler (11 points, 7 assists) sewed it up with a jumper and three free throws in the final 28 seconds as Washington (8-31) broke its six-game losing streak.
“I was getting my work in, believing in myself knowing that this, too, shall pass,” said James. “I’m grateful that I was just able to hit the shots that count.”
James, acquired in a December trade, also took a leadership role in the huddle.
“Mike came in and said, ‘We’re going to win the game. Keep your heads up,’” said Wizards forward Antawn Jamison (28 points, 8 rebounds). “No matter what the situation, we always feel like we have an opportunity to win.”
The Wizards scored on their final seven possessions. Just as important was their work at the other end where they stymied New York (15-23) on 10 straight possessions.
“We got some stops and hit some big shots,” said Jamison. “It all came together defensively with everybody keying in.”
Guard Nick Young (13 points) didn’t match his career-high 33-point effort of Wednesday night in New York, but he made the biggest defensive play Friday, swatting a layup by Chris Duhon, triggering a fast-break that Young finished with a 21-footer from the wing on a feed from James, giving the Wizards the lead for good with 1:42 left.
“I told Nick, you’re gonna help us in other ways,” said Wizards interim head coach Ed Tapscott. “I said, ‘Remember, you’re not going to score 30 every night. There are coaches behind that wall in the other locker room. They are going to try to take away something.’”
Two nights after surrendering a season-high 128 points to New York, Washington limited the Knicks to 37 percent shooting from the floor. New York hoisted 38 three-point shots, hitting 12 (32 percent).
“We made a couple of adjustments – how we played the pick and rolls,” said Tapscott. “You didn’t see as many of those slices to the basket you saw the other night.”
The Wizards started well, scoring on nine straight possessions in the first quarter and stretching their lead to 43-29 in the second period as the Knicks had no answer for Jamison, who thrived despite a flare-up of tendonitis in his right forearm. Wearing a wrap from his right wrist to his elbow, Jamison hit 9 of 16 shots from the floor.
“I got enough to get it done,” said Jamison. “Tomorrow might be a little rough though.”
New York seized control at the start of the third period, scoring on its first seven possessions to take a 55-54 lead. Forward David Lee (15 points, 21 rebounds), who made all six of his attempts from the floor, sparked the rally with a 3-point play and a layup.
New York continued to roll offensively. Back-to-back 3-pointers by forward Wilson Chandler (16 points) and reserve guard Nate Robinson (12 points) finished off a 10-0 run that gave the Knicks their biggest lead, 67-58. In the fourth quarter, another 3-pointer by Robinson provided a 83-74 lead with 8:07 left.
“We didn’t play well in the first half at all,” said Lee. “But we had the game in hand and completely out-played Washington. This is the type of game we can’t lose.”
The Wizards know the feeling. They’ve lost 12 games this year that they’ve led in the fourth quarter. Friday night, however, Washington out-scored the Knicks over the final eight minutes, 22-6, with help from forwards Andray Blatche (13 points, 11 rebounds) and Darius Songaila (7 rebounds, 4 assists).
“It was time for us to come out here and get a win,” said Blatche. “At home we work hard together, so to accomplish a goal is a great feeling for us. We wanted to get stops, key in on Antawn and Caron on the offensive end and have everybody play solid defense.”
Consider it mission accomplished.
Notes » The Wizards wore Chicago Zephyrs throwbacks Friday night at Verizon Center. … Washington wanted a slower tempo game. Instead the first period ended with the Wizards up, 31-25. “We’re at a disadvantage in a 120-point game against the Knicks,” said Tapscott. “But if we’re in a 90-point game, the advantage goes to us.”
