Wizards' Tapscott Turns to Dependable Thomas for a Lift

Before Saturday's game against Oklahoma City, interim coach Ed Tapscott approached veteran center Etan Thomas and told him to be ready. Not long thereafter, Tapscott called on Thomas in the second quarter and he responded with a high-energy effort that helped the Wizards snap an eight-game losing skid with a 104-95 win.

Thomas, who had fallen out of the rotation completely before playing a little over two minutes in Thursday's loss at Cleveland, finished with four points and seven rebounds. His dunk off of a nice pass from Andray Blatche gave the Wizards an eight-point lead with just under nine minutes left in the game Saturday night.

"Etan is a veteran guy," Tapscott said. "I told him how I was trying to manage the season and he had been out of it for that segment of time and that segment didn't go well. We were on a losing streak, so now it's time to effect some changes, to give some people some chances who have been out of the rotation. Today, I talked to him and said I'm going to give you some minutes. All I wanted him to do was run the floor, protect the basket, rebound the ball and take good shots. I thought that's what he did. He gives us that physical presence that no one else on our team does."

A Look at the Rockets

Houston (20-11) is 7-3 in its past 10 games and is coming off of an impressive 120-115 win over Utah. Tracy McGrady did not play as he continues to battle knee soreness, but Ron Artest scored 28 points. The Rockets have won seven straight against the Wizards, including a 103-91 win at Verizon Center on Nov. 21.

Up Next: Monday at Houston 8:30 p.m. Comcast SportsNet, WTEM-980

Tuesday at New Orleans 8 p.m. WDCW-50, WTEM-980