Arenas leads undermanned Wizards by Nets
October 31, 2009
WASHINGTON (AP)—Gilbert Arenas(notes) scored 32 points, including a halfcourtbuzzer-beater at the end of the first quarter, Andray Blatche(notes) scored acareer-high 30, and the Washington Wizards overcame the absence of both of theirregular starting forwards Saturday night in a 123-104 win over the New JerseyNets.
With injured two-time All-Stars Caron Butler(notes) and Antawn Jamison(notes) on the benchin their expensive dark suits for the home opener, Arenas made 9 of 13 shots, 11of 12 free throws and had seven assists. Butler sat out after bruising his leftknee in Friday night’s loss to Atlanta, and Jamison is out at least two moreweeks with an injured right shoulder—bothersome news for a team that hasn’thad its top players healthy in a long time.
But Arenas and Blatche carried the load with room to spare. Blatche made hisfirst five shots and finished 15 for 18 from the field for the Wizards, who shot61.5 percent—their best shooting game in seven years.
New Jersey Nets forward Yi Jia… AP – Oct 31, 8:36 pm EDT New Jersey Nets guard Chris Do… AP – Oct 31, 8:27 pm EDT
New Jersey Nets guard Terrence… AP – Oct 31, 8:26 pm EDT
New Jersey Nets center Brook L… AP – Oct 31, 8:25 pm EDT YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index = 3; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_lazy_images = [http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091101/capt.b35ac3cf10154bc3a919af759df0cf8e.nets_wizards_basketball_vzn103.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=243&hc=270&q=70&sig=HGdQy96RFDaIuCJXl_Bjhg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091101/capt.6e25823b75144d5ca766aa1e208990a1.nets_wizards_basketball_vzn102.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=268&hc=298&q=70&sig=7FaEGdUmyMIJvX3hExJCtw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091101/capt.e64fa4b604d6450884a0af08d284cf72.nets_wizards_basketball_vzn101.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=284&hc=316&q=70&sig=nlRxxpUaGxtudsRWZQOlQw--]; YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(window,load,YAHOO.Sports.articleLazyLoadCarousel.init); 1 of 4 NJ-Was Gallery function prev_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index > 0) { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index – 1); } else { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index); }}function next_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index 0) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next); }*/}function goto_photo(p) { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { for(i = 0; i < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos.length; i++) { if (i == p) { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, ); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, none); } } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page) { YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page.innerHTML =(p + 1); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = p; } } update_buttons();}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init = function () { YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_prev, click, prev_photo); YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_next, click, next_photo); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = 0; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page = YAHOO.util.Dom.get(carousel_page); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos = YAHOO.util.Dom.getElementsByClassName(item, div, leadphoto); if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { goto_photo(0); }}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init();
Chris Douglas-Roberts(notes) had a career-high 25 points to lead the Nets, who weremissing point guard Devin Harris(notes)—out at least a week with an injured rightgroin. Rafer Alston(notes) scored 20 points starting in Harris’ spot.
The Wizards guessed right when they decided to pass out Arenas masks forHalloween, given that he was the only one of the team’s Big Three who couldplay. Though still announced as Agent Zero during the pregame hoopla, Arenaslooks as if he really has ditched his flamboyant alter ego. He was virtuallyexpressionless on the court and walked toward the bench after his halfcourtbuzzer jumper as if he were walking down a hallway somewhere—without evencracking a smile or raising his arms to acknowledge the cheers.
The shot gave the Wizards a 28-24 lead and had a carry-over effect. DeShawnStevenson(notes) hit a 3 to start the second quarter, and Blatche’s tip got the lead todouble figures a few minutes later. Arenas scored nine straight Washingtonpoints near the end of the half, helping his team to a 62-51 lead at the break.
The Nets never got within single digits in the second half. The highlightwas Blatche’s powerful baseline drive dunk that made the score 109-84 in thefourth quarter. Unlike Arenas, Blatche didn’t mind celebrating—he struttedaway from the basket and exchanged high-fives as he made his way down the court.
NOTES: Arenas, who missed most of the last two seasons with knee problems,last had a 30-point game on Nov. 14, 2007 against Indiana. … Harris, who alsohad a groin problem during preseason, felt it act up during the Nets’ loss toOrlando on Friday and will see a specialist in Chicago on Sunday. … Butler isexpected to return for Tuesday’s game against Cleveland. Mike Miller(notes) moved toButler’s small forward in the Wizards starting lineup, and Randy Foye(notes) started atshooting guard. … None of Washington’s starting five were playing for the teamat the start of last season. Arenas and Brendan Haywood(notes) were hurt, and Miller,Foye and Fabricio Oberto(notes) were acquired in the offseason. … Even though it wasthe home opener on Halloween night—and even though Arenas was playing well ina comfortable win—the Verizon Center was hardly a din of excitement. The crowdwas remarkably quiet during the decisive second quarter, behaving more like anaudience waiting out the intermission on Broadway.