Foes Singling Out Arenas for Attention
Wednesday, January 31, 2007; Page E04
Gilbert Arenas's torrid December did not go unnoticed. After averaging 34.1 points and shooting 47.6 percent in 16 December games, he has averaged 27.5 points on 40.4 percent shooting in 13 January games going into last night's game against Detroit.
Arenas has seen more double teams, and opponents also have been sending a second defender at him once he starts to penetrate. According to Coach Eddie Jordan, Arenas has handled the added attention well.
TRACKING THE WIZARDS Andray Blatche will attend 'John School,' a day-long seminar on the ills of solicitation. The Wizards re-sign forward Andray Blatche to a multiyear deal. After a delay, the Wizards finalize a trade of guard Juan Carlos Navarro to Memphis for a draft pick. Wizards Insider Ivan Carter and Michael Lee with exclusive coverage and analysis on the Washington Wizards. NBA Basics |
"He's seeing a lot of different defenses thrown at him and look what happens: Antawn [Jamison] gets two 30-point games and [Caron Butler] is playing great and we're winning games on the road," Jordan said. "That's what he's bringing now. He's adjusted to the defense and we're winning."
Arenas also has taken care of the basketball. He entered last night's game having turned over the ball six times in the last three games.
Packing Their Passports
The Wizards play at Toronto (22-23) tonight. The last time they visited Air Canada Centre on Jan. 7, Toronto held off a late Washington run for a 116-111 win.
All-star forward Chris Bosh led the Raptors with 24 points and 15 rebounds, Toronto shot 51 percent and held a 40-28 advantage in points in the paint. Toronto had its three-game winning streak snapped with a 102-84 loss at Indiana on Saturday. The Wizards are 4-7 in the second game of a back-to-back set this season and 2-5 when the second game has been on the road.
