Caron And Antawn Lead The Way As Wizards Get By Raptors 101-97

Caron Butler scored 29 points, and teammate Antawn Jamison added 28, as the Washington Wizards hosted and defeated the Toronto Raptors Saturday, 101-97. The game went back and forth all night as there were 6 lead changes and the teams were tied 14 times. The Wizards are now 5-4 without point guard Gilbert Arenas, who had knee surgery last month. Toronto was without forward Chris Bosh who has missed the last two games with a strained groin. The Raptors are 1-1 in those two games.

The two teams were deadlocked at 23-23 after the first quarter, but the Wizards walked into the locker room with and 8 point lead 53-45. Toronto was able to close the gap at the end of the third to just 3 points, but Washington had just enough to hold on for the win.

Butler shot 10-18 from the field 4-7 from three point range, and went 5-6 from the line. He also had 7 assists, 3 rebounds, 3 steals. Jamison went 11-18 from the field, 1-2 from outside the arc, and also went 5-6 from the charity stripe, with a game high 14 rebounds, 2 blocked shots. Guard Roger Mason came off the bench to have a big night, shooting shooting 6-11 from the field, 3-4 from outside the arc for 15 points. DeShawn Stevenson scored 11 points, had 4 assists, 3 boards in the win.

Toronto was led by Jason Kapono who came off the bench and was in the zone. Kapono is a one dimensional player, he is not strong defensively, can not create his own shot, but when his shot is dropping he is dangerous. Saturday was one of those nights as Kapono as he shot 7-13 from the field, 3-5 from three point range, and 6-6 from the line. Anthony Parker, scored 18 points, Jamario Moon had 16 points, and a team high 13 rebounds, and Carlos Delfino scored 16 for the Raptors. Jose Calderon scored 11 points, and had a game high 11 assists. Toronto falls to 9-8 after the loss while Washington improves to 8-9.