Arenas Scores 41, Wizards Stun Suns
Phoenix's Last Shot Goes In and Out: Wizards 112, Suns 111

By Ivan Carter
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, December 24, 2005

PHOENIX, Dec. 23 -- One of the biggest differences between the Washington Wizards this season and last, other than the departure of Larry Hughes of course, is that these Wizards have repeatedly lost close games whereas they found ways to win the tight ones last season. Heading into Friday night's game against the Phoenix Suns, the Wizards were 2-6 in games decided by five points or less. Through 24 games last season, they were 5-2.

The Wizards pulled out this one, 112-111, when Phoenix guard Steve Nash had a shot go in and out at the buzzer. The exciting finish capped a thrilling night of basketball in which Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas scored 41 points on 15-of-24 shooting, Nash had 27 points and nine assists and the lead changed hands 32 times.

"I told our guys that if we fight that hard and with that much sincerity, the basketball gods will look upon you," Wizards Coach Eddie Jordan said. "We got a little break at the end but our team worked for it, most of it. We've always been in games. We haven't caught too many breaks but tonight, we did."

The victory completed a five-game road trip that began with losses to the Lakers, Seattle and Portland. The Wizards (11-14) gained a measure of redemption by winning at Denver Wednesday night and then by winning for the first time at Phoenix since the 2001-02 season. It was the first time the Wizards won two straight games since beating Seattle and San Antonio on consecutive nights at home on Nov. 11-12.

The Wizards flew back to Washington following the game, will get Saturday off and then practice Christmas Day in preparation for hosting the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday night. Antawn Jamison finished with 22 points and 10 rebounds and Caron Butler, making his second straight start, finished with 26 points and five rebounds.

With 44 seconds remaining and the Wizards leading 111-109, Arenas stepped to the line for a pair of free throws. Arenas made the first but missed the second and Nash then got to the line himself after drawing a foul on Jared Jeffries. Nash made both, making it 112-111 Washington.

Then, it was Arenas's turn as he drove and drew a foul on Raja Bell with 12 seconds remaining. Arenas, an 81.6 percent free throw shooter coming into the game, badly missed the first and then the second as well.

"I don't know," Arenas said "It was just one of those nights where you miss five free throws. I'm just happy it didn't cost us this game. We fought so hard."

The Suns hurried the ball into the front court where Boris Diaw drove and missed a layup attempt. The rebound kicked to the corner and appeared to go out of bounds off the left hand of Shawn Marion. But the officials ruled the ball had touched Wizards' Butler, and the Suns were awarded the ball with eight-tenths of a second remaining.

Nash, who had made four three pointers on the night and 8 of 16 shots overall, caught the inbounds pass and shot a fadeaway jumper from around 17 feet.

Fortunately for the Wizards, who lost on a similar shot by Milwaukee's Maurice Williams, the rim spit the ball out after it appeared ready to slide through the net.

"The ball finally fell our way," said Butler, who claimed that the ball never touched him on the penultimate play. "We've been in so many of these already this season and it's just good that things went our way for once."

Arenas tied his season-high with 23 first half points and had 34 by end of the third quarter. Arenas did most of his damage with his jump shot and didn't attempt a free throw until the 9:31 mark of the fourth quarter. He missed both and then took a seat for quick rest with the Wizards trailing 91-87.

The Wizards received a boost from Chucky Atkins, who didn't play at all in the first half after playing just nine minutes at Denver Wednesday night. Atkins shook any rust quickly by knocking down a pair of huge three pointers. The second, which came off an offensive rebound, gave Washington a 102-100 lead. After steal by Arenas on the other end, Arenas pulled up and made a jumper, giving Washington a 104-100 lead with 4 minutes 32 seconds remaining.

Washington entered the fourth quarter with an 87-85 lead thanks to Arenas, who hit a three-pointer at the buzzer. It was the sixth three-pointer of the game for Arenas and helped overcame the dominant quarter played by Nash, who repeatedly probed the Washington defense, drew extra defenders and kicked the ball to an open teammate. Through three quarters, the Suns made 7 of 10 three-pointers.

The Wizards shot 60.9 percent while matching their season high with 33 first quarter points. Arenas, who received a warm applause from the University of Arizona fans in the crowd, played like he was at home. Arenas made six of his first eight shots, including two three-pointers en route to 14 first quarter points. Jamison was also hot, making 5 of 7 shots, including a three-pointer from the top of the key, and scoring 13 first quarter points.

The 33-31 lead at the end of the first quarter quickly evaporated as the Wizards missed four of their first five shots -- all four misses came on jump shots -- while the Suns scored five consecutive possessions and took a 40-37 lead. The lead changed hands 16 times during a fast-paced first half as both teams shot over 50 percent from the field. The Wizards led 57-55 when the half ended largely because they held a 26-9 rebounding edge and because Arenas and Jamison combined to score 38 points.

Wizards Notes: Center Etan Thomas was a late scratch with a left hip strain. Thomas appeared in each of the first 24 games, averaging 4.7 points and 4.0 rebounds in 15.6 minutes per game.