Butler does it again with buzzer-beater in Toronto

Dixon and Butler celebrate after the game-winning shot
(AP Photo/The Canadian Press,Nathan Denette).

Caron Butler did it again tonight for Washington as a last-second shot at the buzzer secured an 100-98 Wizards road victory over the hometown Toronto Raptors.  With shades of recent Hall of Fame inductee Michael Jordan, Butler created space on the Raptors' Shawn Marion and went up for a jumper that swished as the game clock reached zero.  Chris Bosh had 21 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists for Toronto in the loss.

Washington's starters, still without Gilbert Arenas, had another slow start tonight in Toronto and went 1-for-9 to start the game.  Of their starters, Dominic McGuire was the only Wizard to keep Washington in it in those early first minutes.  The Wizards second unit, led by Nick Young off the bench, opened up and rallied back after an early Toronto lead stifled the visitors' spirits.  At the end of one, Toronto held a slim 20-16 advantage.

In the second quarter Young continued his hot shooting, while Chris Bosh kept Toronto on their mission for a win.  A late three by Antawn Jamison with less than three minutes left in the half gave Washington some confidence heading into the locker room but Toronto finished with a 41-37 lead.

In the third quarter, Jamison began to heat up, partly due to a disagreement with the referees, and would score 9 points in the quarter to help give Washington their first lead of the game.  That lead would occur with about 6:10 to go in the third, when Butler sank a nice jumper to give the Wizards a 52-50 advantage over the Raptors.

Butler and Brendan Haywood would finish the quarter strong for Washington and the Wizards used that momentum to start the fourth quarter.  Washington picked up their defense and with their increased efforts were rewarded more fast break situations which Toronto could not find a way to defend.  However, half way into the fourth Toronto found themselves in rhythm from behind the arc, and as Bosh continued his dominance inside the paint, Jose Calderon and Jason Kapono began to heat up from outside.

The last six minutes of the fourth were high energy and tightly played by both teams, and culminated with about 41.5 seconds left to go in the game.  With Washington up by only three after a Kapono three pointer from the corner, Juan Dixon began to bring the ball up court but found himself trapped by Toronto with nowhere left to go.

McGuire played strong tonight with 8 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 blocks
(AP Photo/The Canadian Press,Nathan Denette)

Dixon jumped back and heaved the ball to half court, where Antawn Jamison lingered.  The pass was intercepted, the collision sent Jamison to the floor with no call, and Toronto went back to Kapono in the same corner to tie the game 96 all.

On the next Wizards play out of a timeout, Washington looked out of sorts.  Jamison dribbled the ball around the perimeter and found nothing, giving the ball up to Dixon, who redeemed himself with a cut back mid-range jumper.  The shot sank in despite an attempt by Calderon to play defense by clapping his hands in front of Dixon, and on the other side of the court, Toronto ran a play which sent the Spaniard straight to the hoop with an uncontested lay-up, giving Calderon 15 points on the night to go with 11 assists and 0 turnovers.

With the score 98 all and 16.3 seconds remaining, Washington would hold the ball for the last shot.  The man to hold the ball?  Caron Butler.

Guarded by Toronto's best on-the-ball defender in Marion, Butler took his time, worked his way in from the elbow of the perimeter, and made a crossover dribble to free up space.  With 1.2 seconds left on the game clock, Butler pushed back with a fade-away jumper as Marion's momentum sent him in the opposite direction, and as the game clock expired, Washington had hit the century mark for an 100-98 road victory.

Washington will host Toronto one last time on Monday.

Game Notes
• Nick Young played, and played well tonight, with 9 first half points.  He did not score in the second half, but he gave Washington the momentum needed for a push in the third quarter.
• No Arenas tonight.  Whether he will play on Monday is uncertain but given it is the last home game, high odds if he feels well.
• Jamison picked up his 38th double-double with 24 points and 11 rebounds.  In the third quarter he was a man possessed.
• Butler finished with 21 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists.
• Kapono scored 20 points off the bench, and shot 6-for-9 from the perimeter.
• Haywood had 15 points, 9 rebounds, 5 blocks and 3 assists in his 5th game back, 4th as a starter.

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