Inside Game Keeps Wizards on Outside

In Playoff Push, Knicks' Front Court Key: Knicks 99, Wizards 86

The hope for the Washington Wizards, once again, looks to be for next season.

In losing, 99-86, to the New York Knicks yesterday at MCI Center, the Wizards dropped their second straight game of importance, which quickly switched their short-term future from a playoff push to finishing the season with professionalism and improvement.

"We talked about these two games on the weekend being crucial games," Wizards Coach Eddie Jordan said. "Everyone had something to hope for. Us, our fans, our owner. To just get outworked from a couple of individuals out there from their team and some individuals on our team not working as hard. . . . As a whole they outworked us, we didn't get it done in the effort department."

Jordan was careful not to single out any player or group of players, but the lack of production from Washington's front court played a major role in the loss, which ensured the Wizards (20-41) their fifth straight non-winning season.

The trio of Kwame Brown, Jarvis Hayes and Brendan Haywood combined for 18 points (8-of-21 shooting) and 13 rebounds, leaving guards Gilbert Arenas (game-high 28 points) and Juan Dixon (25 points) to account for 62 percent of the scoring. Haywood was fairly productive for the 21 minutes he played as was his backup Etan Thomas (8 points, 5 rebounds, 26 minutes).

However, Washington's forwards, including reserve Jared Jeffries, were no match for their New York counterparts, who showed little hesitation taking the ball to the basket or establishing post position. Knicks point guard Stephon Marbury made things easier by routinely getting to the basket and drawing a secondary defender.

"It boils down to we missed shots," said Brown, who missed seven of his 10 field goal attempts. "No excuses involved. We missed shots."

After winning four of five games and moving within 41/2 games of the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, the Wizards lost two games they targeted, the first coming Friday to the Boston Celtics, to fall six games out of playoff contention. While not technically out of the picture with 21 games left, any talk about postseason play has been replaced by Jordan suggesting new ways to motivate players, either by changing up his coaching strategy or, possibly, the lineup.

"It's not frustration, it's I've got to find a better way," Jordan said. "Whether it's to improve my coaching or find a creative way or rely on somebody else, it's my responsibility and I'm going to go to work and figure things out the best I can."

One of the most glaring problems for the Wizards has been their inability to win games within their own, six-team Atlantic Division, by far the worst in the NBA as only the New Jersey Nets have a winning record. The loss to division foe New York (29-35) was the Wizards' 15th in 16 division games.

"I guess we just can't get it done in our division," said Arenas, who had a game-high seven turnovers. "It's not something we're thinking about, but it's just happening."

The Knicks, meanwhile, strengthened their grip on the sixth playoff spot in the East.

"We haven't turned the corner yet," said Marbury, who had a team-high 24 points and a game-high 13 assists. "Going into the playoffs, we want to position ourselves and try and get home-court advantage. It is no longer about making the playoffs, it's where we want to be in the playoffs."

The Knicks controlled the action throughout but swung things in their favor for good by turning three Washington turnovers and three missed shots into 12 straight points and a 79-64 lead in a 21/2-minute span from the end of the third quarter to early in the fourth.

The Wizards got as close as 91-82 after one of two free throws from Jeffries with 4 minutes 40 seconds left, but they never really stood a chance due to the hot shooting of Marbury, Tim Thomas (18 points, 7 of 8 shots), Allan Houston (23 points) and Nazr Mohammed (15).

Wizards Notes: Guard Larry Hughes is scheduled to get the cast on his fractured left wrist removed today. If the break has healed, he is expected to begin therapy and rehabilitation immediately. His practice and playing status will be determined then. . . .

Former Georgetown standout Michael Sweetney had a season-high 10 rebounds for New York.