Boykins scores 20 in debut as Washington falls to Detroit

Newest Wizard Boykins (left) tries to free himself of Bynum.
(AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Washington received a boost from the return of Mike Miller and the debut of Earl Boykins last night, but fell 106-103 to the undermanned Detroit Pistons.  Ben Gordon and Will Bynum led the Pistons on the road while Gilbert Arenas picked up his first double-double of the season with 19 points and 10 assists at the Verizon Center.

Last night's home game could have been decided in Washington's favor by one Antawn Jamison, who has trained with the team over the last week and was all but ready to play until illness intervened. 

Miller and Boykins provided a huge offensive push for Washington despite Jamison remaining on the IR, Miller with 20 points on 7-for-11 and Boykins 20 points on 7-for-12, and the Wizards broke the century mark in points scored for the first time since their home opener rout of the New Jersey Nets a couple of weeks ago on Halloween day.

Miller looked absolutely great, however, his still injured left shoulder fell victim to collision once or twice during the game, after which Miller grimaced.  A pre-game statement suggested his shoulder was only 30% healed going in, but his shot was definitely there last night, despite any pain he played through.  Boykins gave Detroit's ball handlers some pains of their own and played both sides of the court well.  Boykins scored 9 points in his first five minutes and forced Detroit's guards into giving up the ball on several occasions due to traveling violations.

Despite the effort of Miller and Boykins, Washington needs to play smarter down the stretch.  They lost to the Pistons last night largely due to a lack of perimeter defense in the first half, as they allowed Charlie Villanueva and Ben Gordon to score 7-for-9 from downtown which helped Detroit to a 55-47 lead after two quarters.  Washington rallied back in the third quarter to achieve their first lead of the game only to lose it again in the fourth.

With less than 20 seconds left on the game clock, the score 101-100, Detroit, the Pistons had the ball.  Gordon came off a screen and DeShawn Stevenson held Gordon as he passed, a huge mistake.  Gordon was rewarded a single free throw and the Pistons kept the ball, which ended up resulting in two more Gordon free throws and a 104-100 Detroit lead.

Perimeter defense and fourth quarter turnovers have contributed to Washington's current six game skid.  However, the good news for Washington is Miller and Boykins came to play Saturday night, and on Wednesday, Washington will have all the motivation in the world plus Jamison as they host the Cleveland Cavaliers.  Are you a student?  Check out the $10 ticket option for Wednesday's game, the only chance this season to see LeBron James, Shaquille O'Neal, and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the District (pending offseason appearances, of course).

On Guard
Possibly the biggest story Saturday night, other than Boykins scoring 20 for Washington fans, had to be rookie Brandon Jennings scoring 55 against the Golden State Warriors.  People are already calling him the next Allen Iverson, and his Milwaukee Bucks own a 5-2 record on the season.  Yeah, the Warriors aren't really a team that is going to stop you on defense,  but Jennings' 55 points broke a record set by LeBron James as youngest ever to break 50.  The Wizards host the Bucks for the first time this season on December 2nd.

NBA 2K10 Wii Update
I talked to an employee at Amazon.com about NBA 2K10 for the Wii and the answer was no MotionPlus support, as it has been rumored on the Internet, and delivery some time this week.  When I get the game, Wednesday at the earliest, I'll be sure to give an exclusive look for those lonely Wii baller enthusiasts.

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