RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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 GAME FLOW
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Washington Wizards became the last NBA
team to win at home this season, and they did it with a classic feel-good game.
The turning point came with just eight minutes elapsed in the
first quarter. From then on, it was a run-and-gun evening,
supplemented by good defense. The Wizards had a 27-2 advantage in
fast break points and a season-high 14 steals in Saturday night's
109-89 victory over the Boston Celtics.
"It was fun. I think we need that for our confidence," said
Richard Hamilton, who had 19 points and three steals off the bench. "It's good to be out there and see guys laughing and with smiles on their faces."
Juwan Howard scored 21 points and Mitch Richmond had 19, and
Washington shot 54 percent to break a five-game losing streak. The
Celtics, 0-4 on the road, were beaten at their own high-tempo game
just three nights after outrunning the Wizards 116-109 at home.
"Not only did we play poor defense," Boston coach Rick Pitino
said. "But they just flat out shot the eyes out of the basket ...
I told them in the locker room this is not football where you play
an offensive unit and a defensive unit. We're not getting that
aspect of the game of basketball."
The Wizards entered the game 0-4 at home with a penchant for
poor play in the first quarter. This time, they broke the game open
when Hamilton entered the game to create a three-guard attack just
after the Celtics started pressing full court.
Guards Hamilton, Richmond and Rod Strickland repeatedly broke
the press and spurred a 13-4 rally with one transition basket after
another. At one point, the Wizards made nine straight shots on the
way to a 33-21 lead at the end of the quarter.
"I was extremely proud," said Leonard Hamilton, getting his
first home victory as an NBA coach. "We have played well; we have
not come away with the victories. And for these guys to still stay
focused and come out and continue to keep getting better, it says a
lot about their character."
Antoine Walker led the Celtics with 26 points, 15 in the third
quarter after the result was foregone. Boston entered the game
fourth in the league in steals and tops in 3-point shooting, but
both stats favored the Wizards on Saturday.
The Celtics made just 11 of 29 3-pointers for the game and had
five steals -- one fewer than Washington had in the first quarter
alone.
"It was just layup after layup after layup," said Paul Pierce,
who had 17 points. "We just stunk it up. This is probably the
worst game I've ever been a part of."
Washington's lead grew to 19 points in the second quarter as
Richmond fed Jahidi White for a dunk on a 3-on-1 break. The Wizards
led 59-44 at halftime on 57 percent shooting.
The Wizards rode a wave of confidence in the second half,
extending the lead to 30 at one point. Hamilton's long 3-pointer
swished at the buzzer to make it 93-67 after the third quarter.
"We're really starting to feed off each other," Richard
Hamilton said. "We're finding out where everybody likes the ball,
where everyone needs help. Knowing each other's strength and
weaknesses really showed tonight."
Game notes
The Wizards led after the first quarter for only the third
time this season. ... Bryant Stith, who had 15 and 29 points in the
Celtics' two-game winning streak, was scoreless in the first half
and finished with three points. ... The Wizards have scored more
than 100 points twice, both times against the Celtics, winning one
and losing one. ... The Wizards' 0-4 home start was one short of
the franchise record.
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NBA Scoreboard
Boston Clubhouse
Washington Clubhouse
RECAPS
Toronto 111
Milwaukee 102
Washington 109
Boston 89
Minnesota 94
Atlanta 84
Miami 86
Portland 80
New Jersey 97
Indiana 92
Houston 94
Phoenix 89
Denver 87
LA Lakers 86
Utah 109
Chicago 64
Dallas 91
Vancouver 88
Seattle 86
LA Clippers 83
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