Washington hangs tough but unable to convert against Miami

Arenas talks to referee Leroy Richardson about a foul call. 
If only Washington gave Miami's Quentin Richardson the
same attention last night.  (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Washington battled back from an early 19 point deficit against the Miami Heat last night, but in the final seconds of the fourth quarter, the Wizards were unable to convert in the paint and fell 93-89.  Dwyane Wade led Miami with 40 points while Gilbert Arenas led Washington with 32 in the loss.

For those in the area whom experienced the temporary Cox Cable black out last night, you missed the Washington Wizards fall 31-17 in the first quarter against the Miami Heat.  Strange, since Washington completed a 31-17 first quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers last Tuesday before getting swamped by the Cavs in a turnaround blow-out.

However, Washington did not have a turnaround blow-out in them last night, and in addition to Wade's scorching 40 points, the Heat's Quentin Richardson's 5-for-7 night from the perimeter helped Miami prevent Washington from ever getting a comfortable lead.

Washington's three point shooters would emerge, however, Mike Miller only played about two minutes of the first quarter for Washington last night due to early foul trouble.  The result was a lopsided perimeter game in the first quarter, and no completed three point shots.  If you had looked at the Wizards shot chart after the first quarter and split the court in halves, you'd see virtually an empty left half of the court.  To make matters worse, Miller is reportedly out for 7-10 days --  according to Head Coach Flip Saunders -- due to a shoulder tweak, although, officially, he is listed as day-to-day.

Miller did contribute last night, as did Randy Foye, and in the last six minutes of the second quarter both Washington and Miami began to jack up as many threes as they could.  With the score 37-36, Heat, Wade rallied with back-to-back threes of his own, making it a 43-36 contest, and Miami would end the half on top 50-41.

Despite the deficit, Washington had momentum going into the second half at home, and at the end of three quarters the Wizards forced a 66-all tie.  Washington and Miami battled in the fourth, and with 24.6 seconds left in the game, the score 91-89, Miami, Washington would have a chance at the final say.

Randy Foye was substituted into the game for DeShawn Stevenson, who was benched after missing two clutch free throws.  With Foye in the game, Washington strangely did not look for the perimeter, and instead, Arenas attempted to score in the paint.  He didn't convert, Wade was sent to the line, hit only one of two free throws, the game 92-89 with 15.9 seconds left and still a great chance for Washington. Timeout, Arenas drives to the basket instead of checking the perimeter, misses, Haslem fouled, hit only one of two, the game 93-89, one final shot for Washington with 6.8 seconds left.  Timeout, Arenas drives, misses lay-up, Miami lets time expire.

Questionable ending to last night's game.  Why no threes?  Foye was 2-for-3 on the night from the perimeter, Arenas 2-for-8.  Post-game, Caron Butler talked about mental mistakes, Miller talked about his injury and how it happened, and Brendan Haywood talked about his offensive role (16 points, 11 rebounds in last night's loss, including a few key baskets at the start of the third quarter).

Washington will rest up for Friday, when they'll battle the Indiana Pacers on the road.  Then on Sunday, the Wizards will be back home to host the Phoenix Suns.

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