A motivated Caron Butler gets to the rim over Philadelphia forwards
Marreese Speights, right, and Elton Brand during the fourth quarter of
Tuesday’s 105-98 win. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Wizards 105, Sixers 98: There’s changes, and then there’s changes — and just like David Bowie, Wizards head coach Flip Saunders obviously felt like engaging in some strange fascination, fascinating everyone on Tuesday night at the Verizon Center. Saunders grew tired of his starting five’s performance after the Sixers took their first lead of the game midway through the third quarter, and proceeded to substitute them all. At once. Saunders wanted to fire up his regulars; and it seemed to work, as subs Earl Boykins and Nick Young brought a spark. “Guys were pissed, mad. I said, ‘you can be mad at me, but you aren’t half as mad as I was with the effort,'” Saunders said he told his players. “That got the biggest applause of the night, taking [the starters] out.” The Wizards vets responded. Gilbert Arenas led the Wizards with 31 points and 8 rebounds — Agent Zero again came up big, hitting his first three shots of the game, putting the Wizards back into the lead with a twirling hook shot and a nice pass to Caron Butler for a big slam with five minutes left, and then nailing the icing free throws (something he hasn’t done much this season). So Flip’s scheme worked — for tonight. Probably not the kind of motivational tactic you want to use every game though, Coach, especially considering the normally fragile ego of the typical NBA player.