After last Friday’s win in Orlando and upcoming games this week against the Phoenix Suns and Detroit Pistons, Saturday night’s game at the Verizon Center against the banged up Boston Celtics had all the characteristics of a trap game. The Celtics were without Paul Pierce, Wally Szczerbiak and Tony Allen, among others, and losers of seven of their last eight games. Should be easy pickings, right? Well, almost. The Wiz built up a big lead in the first half, lost it, fought back to tie the game late and survived a missed attempt at a game winner by Gilbert Arenas (gasp) to pull out a 115-110 overtime win.
Washington cruised to a 13 point lead in the first quarter, running their offense with little opposition, getting uncontested shots and converting them with ease. They shot over 70% in the quarter and scored 39 points. Other than a brief scare caused by a Antawn Jamison’s hyper-extended knee — he was fine — the Wizards pushed the lead to 20 behind 11 points from Arenas and 14 from Jamison. Boston trimmed the lead to 13 before the half, but the rout seemed to be on.
The third quarter was a different story, however, as Boston patiently worked the ball down low to third-year man Al Jefferson and rode the hot hand of former Villanova star Allan Ray. Jefferson shot 6-9 for 15 points and Ray was perfect on all three of his three-point attempts in the quarter. The Wiz did their part to help Boston’s comeback bid with their sloppy play and a multitude of missed jumpers. Boston ended the period trailing by just one point.
Photos by Kyle Gustafson. More after the jump and in the game photo gallery.
