The Washington Wizards ended their longest losing streak of the season last night beating the Milwauke Bucks 119-112 at the MCI Center. The Wiz were powered by Antawn Jamison’s 32 points and a season high 13 assists from Gilbert Arenas, who scored only 8 points on 2 of 9 shooting.
Perhaps this was a wake up call for Arenas. Washington is just 1-4 in games when he scores over 40 points. Last night he focused on getting his teammates good looks, and they responded in kind. Larry Hughes scored 23, Etan Thomas dropped 17 and Juan Dixon added 12 off the bench. Kwame Brown even elicited cheers from the home crowd as he hit his first five shots en route to a season high 17 points.
With this win Washington’s magic number drops to one. Any combination of a Wizards win or a loss by the New Jersey Nets will clinch the Wizards first playoff appearance since 1998. But according to Jamison, just making the playoffs isn’t the team’s focus right now. Getting the fourth seed and home court advantage is. “I want that four spot,” Jamison told the Post. “I love it. I love to be in this position to be chasing somebody. Even though we haven’t played the way we would like, of late, this is still a fun race to be a part of. I don’t want that sixth spot. Six is not in my vocabulary.”
The Wiz can take a big step towards the fourth seed tomorrow night on national TV when they play host to the streaking Chicago Bulls. Tune in to ESPN at 8 p.m. for tip off.
(Photo from NBA.com)
