Jamison’s 25 Points Help Wizards Hold Off Kings 114-108

Posted by Stephen Rhodes under Main

Washington Wizards forward Antawn Jamison, left, and Sacramento Kings forward Ron Artest, battle for the ball during the first quarter of their game, played Friday night. Washington defeated Sacramento 114-108. ?

Although the Washington Wizards are in little danger of dropping out of the Eastern Conference playoff race, they went into Arco Arena Friday to face the Kings looking to solidify their current position in the playoff standings.? Although the Wizards’ Antawn Jamison supplied the offensive firepower, it was reserve Darius Songaila who provided the clutch baskets when they mattered most; Songaila scored 7 points in the last minute of the game, enabling Washington to hold off Sacramento 114-108.

Sacramento shot well in the first half as they held a 58-47 lead going into halftime; trailing by 16 in the third quarter, Washington methodically began cutting into the Kings’ lead behind the scoring of Caron Butler, who scored 8 points.? The Wizards outscored the Kings 35-21 and built its lead to 11 points early in the fourth period before Sacramento began a comeback; a 3-pointer by Francisco Garcia and some free throws turned into a 13-4 run that pulled the Kings to within 96-94 with 6:04 left to go in the game.?

A 3-point play by Sacramento’s Ron Artest cut the margin to 111-108 with 5 seconds left to go, but?Washington’s Songaila sealed the win with a pair of free throws with 4.6?seconds remaining.? Washington’s leading scorer was Jamison with 25 points, 12 rebounds, an assist and?3steals while DeShawn Stevenson scored 20 with 3 treys, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and a steal; Butler added 18 with 6 rebounds, 7 assists and 3steals while Songaila from off the bench chipped in with 17 along with 5 rebounds.?

Sacramento was led by?Artest with 28 points, 2 rebounds, an assist and 3 steals while Kevin Martin scored 25 with 2 rebounds and 4 assists; Garcia, from off the bench, added 16 with three 3-pointers, 7 rebounds, an assist, 2 steals and a block.? Washington (38-34) now flies south to Los Angeles to take on the Lakers Sunday while Sacramento (32-40) makes the journey to Seattle to face the SuperSonics - also on Sunday.

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