Washington, DC–
Why is it that when teams play the Washington Wizards they either find a way to break a franchise record or set a record? Tonight it was the 23 points scored in the overtime period that set a Knicks franchise record for most points in an overtime session that not only scored the Knicks a 113-100 victory, it was the Wizards that they pulled the plug on in the extra session…. go figure.
“It’s just unacceptable, our approach to the game,” coach Eddie Jordan said. “We just didn’t play hard enough. We didn’t play with a lot of purpose, and maybe we thought they were just going to give us the game, and it was just the opposite. … There was just no enthusiasm.”
The Wizards have continue to struggle and now have dropped their past 9 out of 10 games dating back to before the All Star Break. That lone victory was over the Clippers and it wasn’t an easy one at that with a last second shot needed to secure the victory.
Washington was led tonight again by Antawn Jamison who scored 20 points and had 13 rebounds. DeShawn Stevenson was the only other Wizards starter to make an impact with 14 points. Roger Mason came off the bench and continued to help this team in the absence of Butler and Arenas with 15 points.
Zach Randolph finished with 24 points and 10 rebounds, Jamal Crawford added 21 points, and Nate Robinson, Quentin Richardson and David Lee each finished with 19 points for the Knicks.
Robinson who ignited things for the Knicks with his quickness on the floor including a key steal from Antonio Daniels that later turned into a Lee dunk that set the tempo for the final minutes of the overtime period.
After the game, Jamison commented on the Wizards letting the lead slip away in the fourth quarter
“We just didn’t show the sense of urgency and the type of energy that we needed,” said Jamison, also the team captain, “as far as a team that’s fighting to stay in the race and trying to turn things around.”
Wizards Notes:
Caron Butler who was expected to be back in the line-up tonight had experienced a bit more pain during practice and was kept out of tonight’s contest. He could return on Saturday night against the Bobcats.
