Who says the Washington Wizards didn't improve over the offseason? Last night DCist made our first trip down to the Verizon Center this season and noticed plenty of changes; fancy new press credentials (now with marketing slogans!), shiny, new flat screen monitors in press row in section 104, that snazzy $50 million scoreboard that puts a whole new spin on the Kiss-Cam and a new red carpet themed video set to Kanye West's "Bigger, Faster, Stronger" that's played during player introductions. One thing still needed improvement, though: Washington's dismal 1-5 record.

It was last night's visiting Indiana Pacers that got Washington's '07-'08 season off to the bad start. Indiana pulled out a 119-110 overtime victory that started the Wizards' five game losing streak. The Pacers won their next two games before dropping the next four games, so they needed a W coming into Wednesday night's matchup just as bad as Washington.

Unfortunately for them, it was not to be. Gilbert Arenas got into an early groove, scoring 20 points in the first half on the way to a final tally of 30 points, 11 assists and six rebounds, leading Washington to a 103-90 win. Indiana, meanwhile, came out flat, shooting 25% from the field and started the second quarter down 13. Caron Butler set the tone early, being active by jumping in passing lanes and getting to the rim on offense. Gil knocked down a few shots and from there it was on. Brendan Haywood continued his inspired play this season, tallying 16 points and 11 rebounds. Arenas credited Haywood for inspiring his teammates in the last few games. "Brendan's been playing great basketball all year," he said. "We're just trying to rally around him. There's nobody coming down his back. He's feeling comfortable out there and he's playing like he should be playing."

Photo by Scott Ableman

Indiana rallied late to make it a game, but the Wizards held on and kept the lead at or around double digits, where it had been for most of the game, and the Verizon Center crowd started heading for the exits with just over 2 minutes left. "We don't have any rhythm right now offensively," Mike Dunleavy said in the visiting locker room after the game. "The first three games it just flowed and we played. Whatever's happened since then, I'm not sure." Indiana has now lost five in a row.

Offensively, the Wizards looked like they were locked in, making the extra pass around the perimeter and setting up other teammates for scores. Eddie Jordan continued to experiment with a big lineup, moving Butler to shooting guard and Jamison to small forward with Andray Blatche and Haywood down low. Blatche was a mixed bag, however. He played some nice defense, but looked lost on offense (or perhaps scared of Jermaine O'Neal). He was hesitant to put anything up in the lane, which led to forced passes that resulted in turnovers. It seems that after looking great in pre-season, he's taken a step back.

Game notes: Antonio Daniels took a hard fall in the third quarter, causing a hush to come over the crowd. Coming in from the right on a 3 on 2 fast break, he elevated and collided with Mike Dunleavy Jr., who lost his footing after being tripped by teammate Travis Diener. Daniels' knee struck Dunleavy Jr. in the head, causing Daniels to lose his balance in mid-air and hit the ground hard. Dunleavy Jr. crumpled to the floor, head in hands, which no doubt delighted Maryland fans everywhere.

The second quarter provided a bit of comedy when Haywood got a dunk off of an offensive rebound and thought he heard a whistle that signaled an "And 1." He walked to the free throw line high fiving (actually low fiving) his teammates when they all, seemingly in tandem, realized that no call had been made and they all sprinted back on defense en masse before Indiana inbounded the ball.