Blatche explodes against Golden State in dominant home victory

Blatche (right) with one of his five blocks on the night
(AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)

The Washington Wizards ended a five-game losing streak tonight with a huge 124-100 victory over the visiting Golden State Warriors.  Wizards reserve Andray Blatche looked unstoppable as he broke out for a season-best 25 points on 11-for-18 shooting in just 29 minutes of play.  Are we looking at the next "Reign Man" in the flesh?

After starting the season 1-10, the Wizards looked anything but the second worst team in the league.  Washington, led by new head coach, Ed Tapscott, had something to prove tonight, and they started by taking it to the basket in the first half.   On the defensive end, the Wizards played tight and cost Golden State turnovers, and boxed out for rebounds.  By the half, the Wizards mounted a 63-49 lead while shooting only 1-for-3 behind the three point arc.  To make that stat even more impressive, that lone three was shot by none other than Dee Brown, who would end up 4-for-4 on the night including 2-for-2 from downtown.

Brown was one of four Wizards starters who finished with double-digits in scoring for Washington tonight.  Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison combined for 60 points on 24-for-39 shooting.  JaVale McGee had a big first half, with 12 points in just over 12 minutes, to go with five rebounds and a block.  But in the second half, McGee picked up a costly fourth foul and would not play again until the end of the fourth quarter.

He would not be needed.

Tonight was all about Andray Blatche.  Attention, fantasy owners: 25 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, five blocks, and two steals in just over 29 minutes.  Off the bench.  If Blatche can keep his numbers up, the Wizards might turn into the comeback kids of the league once again.

The Wizards out-rebounded Golden State by a margin of +14, and shot 50.5% from the floor as a team.  In the loss, Stephen Jackson picked up 16 points on 5-for-12 shooting to go with a team-high eight assists, while Andris Biedrins (pictured left) scored 15 on 5-for-7 to go with nine rebounds and two blocks.  Kelenna Azubuike played well off the bench for Golden State, with 15 points on 6-for-9 shooting to go with five rebounds.

The Wizards have two more at home, and will host the Orlando Magic on Thanksgiving, followed by the Atlanta Hawks this Saturday.  It's early in the season, but now is as good a time as any for Washington to use this momentum to pick up some much needed wins in their division.  Then it's on the road again to face the New Jersey Nets, as Washington looks to get some payback for their season opener upset.