D.C.’s deserving duo

Antawn Jamison (l) shares a laugh with teammate Caron Butler in an AP interview.

Photo Credit AP/Jose Luis Magana 

Deserving All-Stars

 For many NBA players the hour is drawing near. As that hour moves closer the atmosphere is akin to a child waiting anxiously knowing that in what appears to be an eternity Santa will arrive, possibly baring their wish.  

Today is the day when the League officials name the Reserve Players who will participate in this year’s All-Star game, held on Feb. 17 in the Crescent City – New Orleans Louisiana.  Will Chris Paul (New Orleans Hornets), possibly the League’s Most Valuable Player, or Brandon Roy (Portland Trailblazers) earn their first All-Star roster spot – the play of Paul and Roy are huge reasons why their teams are in the Western Conference playoff hunt. 

Two other players who hope, if not expect, to receive a message confirming their All-Stars selection are the Washington Wizards’ starting forwards Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler. Both former All-Stars are putting up All-Star stats.  

Jamison is averaging 21.1 points and 10.5 rebounds per game. He is one of only five players (Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic, Carlos Boozer of the Utah Jazz, Al Jefferson of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Yao Ming of the Houston Rockets) averaging at least 20 plus points and 10 plus rebounds per game.

 Antawn Jamison scores a layup over the Memphis Grizzlies Rudy Gay. Photo Credit Ned Dishman/NBAE-Getty Images

Jamison is 22nd in the League in scoring and ninth in rebounding, and he has collected 26 double-doubles this year, which ranks him second behind Howard in the Eastern Conference. 

Historically, averaging at least 20 points and 10 rebounds per game and playing on a winning team guarantees an invite to the mid-season classic. Derrick Coleman was the last player (in the 1992-93) to average 20 and 10 and not be selected as an All-Star.  

“If it [being invited] happens it’s a great honor,” Jamison expressing his thoughts about the potential All-Star selection. “I will definitely cherish that moment, but if it doesn’t hopefully there will be more opportunities to get that opportunity.”  Butler, who gained his first All-Star invitation last year, is having a career year. He and LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers) are the only players averaging 20 points, seven rebounds and four assist per game.  

Tough Juice, as he is known in D.C., is scoring 21.8 points on .481 percent shooting. He is converting at a rate of .372 percent from the arc, .915 from the charity stripe – all career highs. Currently Butler has successfully converted his last 70 free throw attempts. His last failed free throw occurred on Dec. 28 against the New Jersey Nets. He’s also set a career best with 2.4 steals per game which ranks him third in the League.

 Caron Butler scores over the Milwaukee Bucks’ Andrew Bogut (6) after grabbing an offensive rebound. Charlie Bell (42) and Royal Ivey (12) look on. Photo Credit Jonathan Daniels/Getty Images. 

Last year Butler, elated when he found out he was named as a Reserve, said he almost cried, but didn’t because he was with the fellows [his teammates]. It appears he will be just as excited when he receives the news later today.  

“Man, I just hope it happens. If it happens I’m going to accept it with open arms; definitely I’m going to be happy and soak it all in – definitely,” Butler said.   

Reggie Williams, an award-winning editor and journalist, serves as Senior NBA Analyst for Sports Journey Radio. You can listen to his analyst Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday between 4:40 P.M. and 4:54 P.M. on ESPN 1240 in Delmarva, Maryland and Saturday’s on The US Sports Radio Network.  

Wizards withstand the Raptors

Antawn Jamison scores two of his 24 points over the Toronto Raptors Chris Bosh (4) and Jarmario Moon (33). Photo credit Ned Dishman of NBAE/Getty Images 

The Wiz pull it out in O.T. 

Unbelievable!  

With just 1.2 seconds remaining in the game and the Washington Wizards leading by three, Candace Parker’s big brother Anthony sank a basket from the arc that pushed the game into overtime. Despite Parker’s last second heroics, the Wizards defeated the Toronto Raptors 108-104. 

“That was NBA at its finest man,” explained an excited and relieved Eddie Jordan, coach of the Wizards.  

Parker, who finished the game scoring just eight points on 3 of 15 shooting, floated to the arc – in front of Jordan – and upon catching the inbound pass – turned and launched a high arcing shot over three outstretched Wizards defenders that hit the bottom of the net.  

“Teams are going to make shots,” Jordan said, who joked that he should have pulled a Woody Hayes (former Ohio State football coach) on Parker. “The teams that respond are the ones that will go a long way in this league.” 

In the overtime period the Wizards jumped out to a 3-point lead after Antawn Jamison, who led all Wizards (24-19) with 24 points, converted three free throws after being fouled by Parker. While the Wizards never relinquished their lead (as large as six) during the O.T. period, for every punch thrown by the Wizards the Raptors (24-20) retaliated with an equally powerful blow. Roger Mason and DeShawn Stevenson made big 3’s for the Wizards, only to be matched by threes made by the Raptors’ Chris Bosh and Jason Kapono.  

Bosh – scored a game high 37 points – was hot in the first half scoring 21 points on 8 of 11 shooting, but made only three baskets in the second half; two in the overtime period.  

Jose Calderon added 23 points, while Kris Humphries chipped in 16, converting 8 of 9 field goals for the Raptors.  

Jamison, who many feel should be chosen for this year’s All-Star team, put on yet another All-Star performance. Logging 51:48 minutes, Jamison grabbed 20 rebounds. His final rebound, an offensive one with just 11 seconds remaining in overtime, put the Wizards ahead by five. The bucket turned out to be the game winning basket.  

“The timing and the importance of the bucket was definitely one of the biggest rebounds this year,” Jamison said. Jordan added that his star forward “worked tonight and took up the slack for Caron [Butler] a little bit rebounding wise.”  

Butler, another deserving All-Star selection, did not play due to a hip-flexor strain suffered in the Wizards lost to the Milwaukee Bucks earlier in the week.     

Last night’s double-double by Jamison was his 26th of the season. He and Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic) are the only two Eastern Conference players to be averaging at least 20 points and 10 rebounds per game. Western Conference players Carlos Boozer (Utah Jazz), Yao Ming (Houston Rockets) and Al Jefferson (Minnesota Timberwolves) also are averaging no less than 20 and 10.  

Andray Blatche subbing for Butler played well. He scored 19 points on 8 of 11 shooting and collected eight rebounds.  

Mason’s 13 points and rookie Dominic McGuire’s 10 rebounds [a career high] were huge contributions by the Wizards bench. Jordan said McGuire understood the concentration and gave the physical energy that was needed, and played the defensive rotations correctly. He made some big rebounds, Jordan said.   

Describing Parker’s shot that sent the game in the overtime Jordan said Parker, “Made a great, great shot,” and added, “We stood our ground. We kept our composure and made some plays ourselves. We kept our defensive energy up and we just never let down. We kept our confidence and that’s what the NBA is about.”  

Notes: After a hard fought victory (in the Wizards case) and loss (in the Raptors case) the two teams turn around a make a second go of it in two nights– this time in Toronto. Tonight’s game will be the third meeting between the Eastern Conference rivals. The Wizards are up 2-0, having first defeated the Raptors 101-97 on Nov. Dec.1.  Tonight’s back-to-back game is the third this year for the Wizards. They beat the Boston Celtics in consecutive games Jan. 12th and 14th; then split with the New York Knicks on Jan. 15th and 18th.      

Reggie Williams, an award-winning editor and journalist, serves as Senior NBA Analyst for Sports Journey Radio. You can listen to his analyst Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday between 4:40 P.M. and 4:54 P.M. on ESPN 1240 in Delmarva, Maryland and Saturday’s on The US Sports Radio Network.   

The Paula vs. little brother Bowl

My brother and I root for different teams in every sport. We weren’t separated at birth but we took different forks in the road that led to rivalries. As little kids growing up in New Jersey, close to Manhattan, we were in alignment on the football and baseball teams since our Dad ruled the channels on the TV until we got a second one. Dad was a Yankees and NY football Giants fan. He wasn’t much for basketball and my brother and I used to use the second set in our basement to watch Wide World of Sports on Saturdays which would feature NBA contests. ABC would also show Sunday games but there weren’t as many franchises in the NBA  so for ratings purposes they chose the most popular. At that time the Lakers and Celtics were the glamour franchises. It took the Knicks a while to catch on around the country despite their success locally in the early 70’s. I loved the Celtics with Red Auerbach and his cigars that reminded me of my Dad. My brother loved the Lakers with Jerry West and Elgin Baylor.

After he moved to Boston to go to college all that changed; he changed. He ended up staying there after school, got married, got a job and had a family. He was now a Bostonian and the Sox and Patriots were his teams. I remember his oldest kid saying the name of the Pats’ aging quarterback, Steve Grogan, even before he could say much more. Of course he pronounced it “Gogan” not Grogan since he was 2 at the time. The Celts became my brother’s team as well. We were still in agreement on that and shared our love for Red and his band of merry men. But I never stopped rooting for the Yanks and Giants despite my own relocation out here to So Cal. In an about face, since I could actually get tickets to games out here that were always unavailable in NY, I could go see the Lakers.  I became a Lakers diehard and thus a complete sibling rivalry resumed. I spanned the country with my Lakers, Yanks and Giants; he stayed local with the Sox, Pats and Celts.

The Sox-Yankees saga is well documented and it was ugly during baseball season; it still is. We love each other, talk all the time and talk sports trash unmercifully. But…it’s not the same in football between us. I have flown back East for all of the previous New England Super Bowls to be with my brother and exulted for him since the Giants weren’t their rivals or even in the same Conference; they never played each other in the Super Bowl so that made it OK. He was always happy for me during the Tuna/Phil Simms days and even through the 1991 loss to the Ravens. But this year is different. They are rivals this Sunday and I’m so sick of Pats mania I can’t stand it. We are sending each other articles via the Internet, pointing out stats, talking smack and loving every minute of it.

I just came back from Bo’s Cigar Lounge where I watch a lot of games out here and bought him 2 cigars: a fabulous one if the Pats win and a pretty mediocre one for when they lose. Notice I said “when they lose” and “if they win”. Big difference don’t you think? Guess who I’m rooting for and who I believe can pull it off? Are the odds and the Stars Wars “force” with me? Probably not, but I can see the stats and the underdog has at least beat the spread a third of the time over the years, when expected to lose by at least a touchdown. Last I saw the spread was 12. I think one third of the time is too big a number to be happenstance or coincidence. I’ll be in my Plaxico Burress jersey out here and my brother will be sitting on his coach without Pats clothing. We’ll have phones nearby to chronicle all big moments. What is great is that we adore each other and it is so important for us to share it. One of us will be happy and the other miserable. I’m the big sister so I’m supposed to want what’s best for him; not this weekend though. Go Giants!

Want more: Read my Daily Dose of Duffy column at www.incidentalcontact.com

© 2008 Incidental Contact, LLC

Revenge of the Nerds meets Return of the Jedi

Well, my G Men showed up and won in OT against the Packers when not many folks picked them to win outright, never mind beat the spread. So last weekend I was 2-0 for my picks and feeling real good about it all. But unfortunately we have a dead week between the Championship weekend and the Super Bowl; so stuff other than NFL games and stories are all the rage. I’ve chosen to write about a local story out here that will have national consequences for college football next season and for the foreseeable future: the new coaching staff at UCLA football.

Rick Neuheisel who snagged the job as head coach has gotten the boosters and administrators at the school to buy into the theory that he can produce a program that can vie for dominance in LA and the country by outshining and out recruiting Pete Carroll’s powerhouse USC team.

He started out by retaining the existing defensive coordinator, DeWayne Walker who had interviewed for the top spot and didn’t get it. Walker agreed to stay on to work for the guy who beat him out for the job and has a particular history with Carroll that is interesting. He was the first assistant coach hired by Pete when he landed at USC and left the school to go to the pros prior to returning to college but by that time Pete was the golden boy with national championship games under his belt so DeWayne went to arch rival UCLA.

The second person that Neuheisel hired was Norm Chow, newly fired from the NFL’s Tennessee Titans and previously famous for being the offensive coordinator at USC during the championship years. Chow developed Carson Palmer, Matt Leinart and (drum roll please) Reggie Bush. Prior to that Hollywood wonderland he worked at BYU and coached Ty Detmer and Steve Young at quarterback positions, both of whom won the Heisman Trophy; Young is now enshrined in the NFL Hall of Fame.

Recruiting high school athletes is the name of the game in college sports and Pete Carroll has had a huge advantage over anyone at UCLA; his program turns out winners and he is the toast of the town. But Norm Chow is the master, sort of like Yoda was in Star Wars. He is a quiet sort of guy who comes across as a professor type but he knows how to win. With his reputation and the guys he has mentored he will wow recruits who think he is the master of the Force.

Pete Carroll now faces two of his former guys, one of whom is just as famous as he and he better be a bit nervous. As the title of this piece says, Neuheisel has created the Revenge of the Nerds sprinkled in with the Return of the Jedi. Good for him and let the games begin.

Want more: Read my Daily Dose of Duffy column at www.incidentalcontact.com

© 2008 Incidental Contact, LLC

Back to their winning ways

Nick Young scores two of his 12 points as David Lee (42), Nate Robinson (4) and Quentin Richardson (23) look on. Photo courtesy of NBAE/via Getty Images

Wiz bench was “ballin’”

The Washington Wizards returned to their winning ways last night, avenging a lost to the New York Knicks just three days earlier.  

Led by Antawn Jamison and receiving excellent play from the bench, the Wizards converted 57 percent of their shot attempts as they defeated the Knicks 111-98. The victory is their 21st.  

Jamison scored 32 points and the reserves, led by rookie guard Nick Young, outscored the Knicks reserves 30 to 25.  

“If those guys (the reserves) continue to play well, and I do believe they will, it makes things easier for us (the starters),” said Caron Butler, who scored 21 points  

Young, perfect in the second quarter converting on all five of his shot attempts, scored 12 points. During a three minute second quarter stretch Young scored 12 of the 18 Wizards’ points scored.    

Roger Mason (who started for the injured Antonio Daniels in their lost to the Knicks on Tuesday) returned to his familiar role as the first player off the bench and contributed 10 points; Oleksiy Pecherov added eight points and four rebounds. 

Butler continued his perfect free throw shooting during January converting on four attempts continuing his streak at 54. His 52nd consecutive free throws made set a new Washington Bullets/Wizards record, breaking Bailey Howell’s record of 51 set during the 1964-65 season. 

Like Butler, the Wizards are performing well from the charity stripe. They are tied for third place with the Sacramento Kings, converting at a rate of .799 percent.  

Daniels missed Tuesday’s game against the Knicks started in the rematch and scored eight points and dished out seven assist. 

Brendan Haywood was perfect on his five shot attempts and pulled down a game-high eight rebounds.   

Reggie Williams, an award-winning editor and journalist, serves as Senior NBA Analyst for Sports Journey Radio. You can listen to his analyst Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday between 4:40 P.M. and 4:54 P.M. on ESPN 1240 in Delmarva, Maryland and Saturday’s on The US Sports Radio Network.   

Second time around

The Wiz looking to get back on winning track

Tonight, the Washington Wizards will host the New York Knicks and attempt to avenge a lost to the Knicks earlier this week.

After a four day stretch that resulted in the Wizards’ overtime victory over the Atlanta Hawks and double slaying of the NBA giant Boston Celtics, they lost 105-93 in a Tuesday night contest with the Knicks, at Madison Square Garden.

Caron Butler led the Wizards in their defeat to the Knicks scoring 21 and dishing out six assist. Antawn Jamison added 21 points and Roger Mason kicked in 20, starting for the injured Antonio Daniels, who felt soreness in his recently injured knee.

The Wizards (20-17) enter tonight’s contest winning six of their last 10 games. They are one game behind their 21-16 pace for the 2006-07 season, and two games behind the Southeast division leading Orlando Magic.

Butler enters tonight play having converted on his last 50 free throw attempts. He is perfect from the charity stripe during January. For the season, Butler is 153-of-199 from the free throw line, which marks his career high of 90.5 percent. Only Phoenix Suns’ Steve Nash has a longer streak, converting 55 consecutive free throws.

This season the Wizards are 11-8 at home and a perfect 9-0 at Verizon Center when holding opponents to 90 points are less; they are 2-8 when the visiting club score more than 90.

The Knicks enter tonight’s play having won their last three games including a 24 point (89-65) defeat of the Central leading Detroit Pistons.

Both the Wizards and Knicks are playing and winning without their superstar guard. Gilbert Arenas will miss his 30th game with a knee injury and Stephon Marbury misses his third consecutive game, out indefinitely with pending ankle surgery.

With the success that each team is experiencing, the question is, are the Wizards and Knicks better without their superstar guards? Coach Eddie Jordan emphatically maintains that there is no way that his club is better without Arenas.

  

The Wizards will host the Dallas Mavericks on January 21(Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday). Game time is 1 P.M.

Reggie Williams, an award-winning editor and journalist, serves as Senior NBA Analyst for Sports Journey Radio. You can listen to his analyst Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday between 4:40 P.M. and 4:54 P.M. on ESPN 1240 in Delmarva, Maryland and Saturday’s on The US Sports Radio Network.   

The Final Four for the NFL

Check out my last week’s picks here in this column to see that I ended the weekend at 2-2. Have you seen the cat that picks games on one of the morning ESPN talk shows? Its percentage is about the same as the experts so just call me Fluffy. But seriously folks….I like the fact that I picked 2 upsets and nailed 1. But more importantly for me, there WERE 2 upsets in a weekend that until recently has gone by the line of the favorites at home. Indy took a dive down the hole it seems to be most comfortable: having a week off, not going to Cabo and losing. And make no mistake about it, they lost it. The vaunted defense leaked like a bad faucet when it counted; like when Sproles was racing down the sideline or when Billy freaking Volek converted a big third down pass and then executed a QB sneak into the end zone. Bob Sanders couldn’t get his guys to stop a back -up who hasn’t started a game in a few years?

And then there was Seattle vs. Green Bay in the snow. Ryan Grant fumbles, then fumbles again but comes back like a super hero in a comic book to run for more than 200 yards and be comforted by Big Daddy Favre.  He was heard to say that the kid shouldn’t worry about early mistakes in a big game about which he knows a lot. I’d say. But again I ask, where was the Seattle running game which should have been able to crank out at least 100 yards?

The New England/Jags game was exciting for a half and then it was mesmerizing as Tom Brady set new standards for cool, calm, collected and accurate. Holy spiral Batman! In the meantime, The Jags were able to measure themselves against the cream of the crop and saw that they weren’t that far down the pole. With their running game and quarterback, if they go out and get one or two wide receivers that break a game open they will be dangerous.

My favorite game of the weekend…..of course, was the humiliation of the Cowboys by my G-Men. Whether it was Toomer showing what he’s got to Eli magically not making mistakes it was a great win but one that made me sweat til the last ball was thrown. Dallas looked sloppy on offense with routes that didn’t pan out and Romo got pissed off when the Giants D finally got in his face. Hey Tony: that’s what defenses are supposed to do and you should learn when to throw the ball away rather than take sacks that hurt your team. Now go console yourself with Jessica.

This week, I’m sticking with my G-Men although if they lose I hope they give the Packers everything they can take and lose only as a result of a miracle by the revivalist preacher who heals the lame (named Favre). Will it be cold? Duh….it’s Wisconsin in January and I am so sick of talking about whether the players will wear long sleeves on their jerseys that it seems like Sex and The City’s obsession with high heels.

I am picking the Pats vs. the Chargers just because they are a superior team on a regular basis. Do the Chargers have weapons to take the game? Sure they do but New England has more and knows how to use them. Combine that with the Randy Moss mess that will unite them against a common enemy: some lawyer who decided to try and screw with Randy’s head days prior to this big game, and you might have a blow out. OK kids, as the crying baby known as TO said last week; get your popcorn ready.

Want more: Read my Daily Dose of Duffy column at www.incidentalcontact.com

© 2008 Incidental Contact, LLC

Déjà vu – The Wiz beat Celts again!

Caron Butler (0) play down the stretch helps the Washington Wizards defeat the Boston Celtics for the second time in three nights.  Photo courtesy NBA/Gettly Images

Back-to-Back

The storm that draped Boston’s metropolitan region wasn’t the eight inches of snow that fell, but the pressure applied by the Washington Wizards that caused the cave in of huge fourth quarter lead held by the Boston Celtics.

 

The Wizards dealt the Celtics (30-6) their second lost in three nights. Down by 14 points with 5:59 minutes remaining, the Wizards embarked on a 25-6 run to defeat the Celtics 88-83. The lost marked Boston’s first back-to-back defeat this season as well as their first consecutive home defeat.

“We always seem to come back strong when our backs are against the wall. We did it Saturday night and we did it tonight in a tough road game,” Antawn Jamison said in an Associated Press interview. “To beat these guys in back-to-back games considering how they’ve been playing is something special.”

Jamison recorded his 24th double-double for the season, scoring 20 points and grabbing 14 points. Caron Butler took over the game in the closing moments scoring seven of his 21 points in the last 40 seconds.

The Wizards trailed by five points or less for most of the game, but that lead grew to 14 by the mid-fourth quarter. During the first six minutes of the quarter Paul Pierce and Eddie House led the Celtics’ mini-scoring explosion. The Wizards, during that period, shot zero percent (0 of 6) and committed three offensive fouls. Brendan Haywood scored their first basket at the 5:57 mark in the quarter.

As the Wizards offensive began to pick up, so too did their defensive intensity. They forced the Celtics to miss 10 of 11 shot attempts and commit two turnovers.  

Pierce, who found himself in another epic dual with Butler, said that the Celtics were not aggressive down the stretch.

“We’ve got to be the aggressor, and down the stretch we weren’t,” Pierce said.

Kevin Garnett, who scored a game-high 23 points on 8 of 17 shooting, said of his team, that they could not convert shots.

DeShawn Stevenson converting 4 of 7 from the arc scored 16 points. His final “3” tied the game at 79. He also provided stellar defense against Ray Allen, who missed 9 of 14 shots.

The Wizards have won five of their last six and seven of their last 10 games. Butler, perfect from the charity stripe converting on six attempts, is perfect in January. He has converted 40 consecutives foul shot attempts.

 Reggie Williams, an award-winning editor and journalist, serves as Senior NBA Analyst for Sports Journey Radio. You can listen to his analyst Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday between 4:40 P.M. and 4:54 P.M. on ESPN 1240 in Delmarva, Maryland and Saturday’s on The US Sports Radio Network.    

 

The Wizards tough it out over the Celts

DeShawn Stevenson scores two of his game-high 19-points on Boston’s Ray Allen.

Photo courtesy of the Washington Wizards

The Wiz pull it out

Big win! That’s how DeShawn Stevenson described the Washington Wizards victory over the Boston Celtics.

Led by Stevenson, who scored 19 points, grabbed six rebounds and played toughed locked down defense, the Wizards pulled off an exciting 85-78 victory over the Celtics in front of 20,173 Verizon Center crowd. The victory came less than 24 hours after their big overtime defeat of the Atlanta Hawks, their Southeast division rivals.

After trailing by nine late in the third quarter, the Wizards turned on their defensive pressure, poured out an effective offense output and outscored the Celtics, arguably the League’s best team, 33 to 17. The pressure applied by the Wizards (19-16) caused the Celtics (30-5) to commit six turnovers and shoot 3 of 20 (15 percent) during the game’s final 15 minutes.

Acknowledging the team’s tremendous effort Jordan said this was the first time that his team had played a game – like they played against the Celtics – and won. Mental and physical toughness was how he described the Wizards’ play.

Defensively, Stevenson and “Tough Juice” Caron Butler provided the toughness. The fourth quarter pressure applied caused by lots of double-teaming stifled the Celtics’ “Big Three,” made up of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen.

Pierce, Garnett and Allen were held at or below their season averages. Garnett scored his usual 19-points, but was held to just six rebounds. Pierce, who prior to the game averaged 21.1 points per game, was held to 15 points on 5 of 13 shooting and sharp-shooter Ray Allen shot 23 percent – scoring just eight points, 9.9 points below his season’s average.

The Celtics’ staring point-guard Ranjo Rondo was inactive due to a sore lower back.

Statistically the Wizards performed poorly. They shot 36 percent from the field (11 percent from the arc), committed 18 turnovers, had nine shots blocked and dished out just 13 assist. But toughness prominently displayed by the Wizards was the key to their victory. They outrebounded the Celtics 49 to 30 and scored 26 second chance points.

“We dug down deep . . . for a lot of mental toughness; a lot of physical toughness. It got to be a man’s game,” said Jordan adding, “You had to make plays.”

Antawn Jamison recorded his 23rd double-double of the season with 10 points and a game-high 16 rebounds. Butler also recorded a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds.

During the game’s final 1:30 seconds the Verizon Center was loud, raucous and had the energy of playoff basketball. As the Wizards’ victory became apparent, G-Man, the Wizards’ mascot scurried through the arena handing out Kleenex tissues to the large contingent of Celtics loyalist.

The Wizards have an off-day today, but will fly to Boston for a Monday night rematch against the Celtics. This will be the third meeting between the Eastern Conference rivals this season. The Celtics defeated the Wizards 103-83 at TD Banknorth Garden on Nov. 2.

Reggie Williams, an award-winning editor and journalist, serves as Senior NBA Analyst for Sports Journey Radio. You can listen to his analyst Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday between 4:02 P.M. and 4:39 P.M. on ESPN 1240 in Delmarva, Maryland and Saturday’s on The US Sports Radio Network.

Tia B.’s Divisional Playoffs Preview

One of the things I learned from last weeks Wildcard games is that it’s anyone’s game, anything can happen, and anyone can win regardless of how great their Stats are in the regular season. Last week I was 2-2 w/ my predictions; hopefully I’ll do better this week.

Packers vs. Seahawks

And the Winner is: I predict the Packers

Reason: Predicting this game is extremely difficult because both teams are very evenly matched on both sides of the ball. But since I have to choose, I am going to go with the Packers. Their winning is mainly dependent on Brett Farve having a good game; if Brett has a good game and doesn’t throw a bunch of interceptions, Green Bay will win this game regardless of what Matt Hasselbeck does. Another key factor is going to be Defense, Defense, and more Defense. Even though both teams have tight defense, if I had to lean toward one I’d have to go with the Packers. The Packers Cornerbacks are going to be far more effective on Seattle’s Receivers than the Seahawks Corner’s on theirs.

What to Expect: Expect Green Bay to control the clock and the ball on the ground. And expect for Brett Farve to have a solid game.

Jaguars vs. Patriots

And the Winner is: I predict the Patriots

Reason: Even though I’d love to see the Jaguars upset New England, I have to be realistic and go with the undefeated Patriots. They have too much experience and far too many weapons to loose this game. The Jaguars would have to be dominant on both offense & defense to beat the Patriots and that’s highly unlikely.  Tom Brady is unstoppable and the only way the Jaguars have a chance of stopping him is by keeping the ball out of his hands. The Jags have struggled putting pressure on Quarterbacks, and that will be their downfall in this game.

What to Expect: Tom Brady and The Patriots to be well prepared.

Chargers vs. Colts

And the Winner is: I predict the Colts

Reason: The Colts have Marvin Harrison back; a key factor in their Offense. With that being said, the Chargers are not going to be able to keep up with Manning and his Star Wide Receiver. And Joseph Addai is also going to be a major factor in this game as well.

What to Expect: Expect Manning to find big plays down the field against The Chargers Defense.

Giants vs. Cowboys

And the Winner is: I predict the Cowboys

Reason: Dallas is going to win their 3^rd straight game against the Giants for the following reasons: if Barber catches passes out of the back field , Whitten catches passes in the middle, T.O. catches passes down the field and if Romo can scramble outside of the pocket, Dallas will spread the field too much for Giants defense to cover. And with them playing at home with an extremely loud crowd may also give Dallas a slight advantage.

What to Expect: Terrell Owens to play.