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Tuesday, Nov. 30 7:30pm ET
Nets outscored 12-1 in final 5:55 | |||||
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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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 GAME FLOW
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- The Washington Wizards found a team that's struggling even more than they are. Juwan Howard scored 23 points and Washington held New Jersey to one point over the final 5:55 to beat the Nets 85-78 Tuesday night. The Wizards (5-10) trailed by 15 points in the third quarter before rallying to snap a two-game losing streak. The Nets (2-13) lost for the 10th time in their last 11 games. "It was a great win for us tonight," said Wizards coach Gar Heard. "The guys who came off the bench really played well." Washington reserve Richard Hamilton scored nine of his 14 points in the fourth quarter, when the Wizards outscored the Nets 26-11. "Our defense was the difference," Hamilton said. "When we do what we have to do on defense, it generates our offense." The Wizards made their late run even though starting guards Rod Strickland and Mitch Richmond sat on the bench for most of the fourth quarter. "I'm not afraid to go to the bench any time during the game," Heard said. "The starters will start, but when we get in trouble the bench will pick it up." The Nets shot only 5-for-23 in the fourth period. "This was a tough game for us to lose, especially the way we lost it," said coach Don Casey. "We were playing sharp and efficient but in the second half we struggled." New Jersey led 67-52 late in the third quarter, but Washington scored the last seven points of the period on a 3-pointer by Hamilton, a jumper by Juwan Howard and two free throws by Michael Smith. The Nets still led 77-73 on Jamie Feick's tip-in with 5:56 left, but that was their last field goal of the game. Howard hit two free throws and followed with a three-point play to make it 78-77. Hamilton then hit a 3-pointer and, after Feick hit one of two free throws with 48 seconds remaining, the Wizards clinched the victory on a tip of an airball by Aaron Williams and free throws by Chris Whitney and Hamilton. Hamilton finished with 14 points for the Wizards. Keith Van Horn led the Nets with 24 points. Feick had 15 points and 16 rebounds for New Jersey. The injury-riddled Nets lost center Joe McIlvaine with a bruised back after he fell in the first quarter, and Lucious Harris didn't play in the second half due to an upset stomach. Game notesThe Nets began a stretch in which they play five straight home games and seven of eight at Continental Arena. ... The Nets beat the Wizards here on Nov. 6, 112-87. | ALSO SEE NBA Scoreboard Washington Clubhouse New Jersey Clubhouse RECAPS Atlanta 107 Toronto 89
Washington 85
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