Wizards turnaround in Philly to take Sixers, get ready for Cavs in Cleveland

Jamison, energized, as Wizards make push on the road.
(AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

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Wizards' Record: 11-21 (11th in East)
Wednesday's Game: Washington @ Cleveland
Game Time: 7:00 p.m. ET. on Comcast SportsNet
and 106.7 The Fan.  Nationally on NBALP.

The Wizards trailed early in Philadelphia but rallied back with a 21 point turnaround finish to defeat Allen Iverson and the 76ers 104-97. Tonight Washington will focus on the rival Cleveland Cavaliers, and will look for similar performances from Antawn Jamison, Gilbert Arenas, as well as Nick Young off the bench.

Washington did not have the right stuff in the first half against Philadelphia last night and trailed 58-44 by halftime.  The Sixers were shooting well, around 62% from the field, while the Wizards struggled to find their shots which in turn gave the Sixers more shot opportunities.

In the second half turnaround, the Wizards were led by what was later revealed to be a soft-spoken Head Coach Flip Saunders intermission, the on-court leadership of co-captain Antawn Jamison, the third quarter defense of DeShawn Stevenson, the dish magic of Gilbert Arenas, who fell one shy of a career high with 14 assists on the night, and the bench production of Nick Young, who had 21 points, a steal, and 0 turnovers in just under 31 minutes of play.

Allen Iverson, guarded by Caron Butler and vice versa the whole night, was at a huge disadvantage against a bigger, healthier, forward-guard, and couldn't give the Sixers one of his classic rallies.  Butler did not get the twenty some odd looks he did in San Antonio, and did seem somewhat limited due to the task of guarding Iverson (even if Iverson is still battling an arthritic knee).  However, late in the fourth quarter, former Wizards Head Coach Eddie Jordan had to pull Iverson out after Butler sank an automatic jumper over his head which gave Washington a 100-92 advantage with two minutes left to play in the game.  Iverson finished with 4 points, 5 assists, 0 steals, and 7 turnovers in 33 and a half minutes played.

While Washington won the backcourt battle, they did miss Brendan Haywood up front.  Haywood sat out due to the flu and Fabricio Oberto and Andray Blatche were asked to mind the center spot.  Both played well enough, however, Antawn Jamison filled in most of the work with his 32 points and 14 rebounds.  Without Haywood in the game, Sixers center Samuel Dalembert finished with 20 points and 20 rebounds, season highs in each category.  Dalemebert looked as if no one could really stop him, and I'm surprised he didn't get even more looks at the basket.

Against the Cavaliers tonight, the Wizards will have to deal with several front court threats.  They did handle Sixers forward Elton Brand well, however, he isn't the young, spry Anderson Varejao, or the still overpowering Shaquille O'Neal, and while Brand does have the range of a Zyrdunas Ilgauskas, he certainly does not have the 7'3" frame.  Right now, Haywood is listed out again for tonight, with Oberto at center and Blatche alongside him.  Be sure to check out Dave's blog for game time changes.

Post Game Notes
• Allen Iverson has been picked up by the Sixers for the rest of the season.  Philadelphia had until today to make a decision on the former Georgetown Hoya but decided to ink AI a day early.  Iverson was quote "not concerned" about the pick-up, but wasn't that thrilled about last night's game result.  Obviously, Iverson doesn't want to sit out and wait for another team at this point in the season.
• Gilbert Arenas is set to face NBA Commissioner David Stern.  Not much on Javaris Crittenton yet, but one would imagine, as I discussed with Bullets Forever last night during the game, both Arenas and Crittenton will be punished by the league.  I also talked to Truth About It about how Crittenton can't seem to shake his foot injury.  Crittenton remains to be the only Wizard still on the IR without a day-to-day by his name (Mike Miller is now active).

UPDATE: Gilbert Arenas has been suspended idefinitely. 

The Wizards released an official statement which agrees with NBA Commisioner David Stern and his decision.

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