Wizards report

Last night at Verizon Center:

SEEN AND HEARD

Billy Thomas’ persistence paid off for him. Before the game, the Wizards announced they were signing him to a contract for the remainder of the season.

Thomas, who just completed his second 10-day contract, has appeared in one game for the Wizards this season.

Thomas has been with the team for the previous two training camps. Thomas has played for the Dakota Wizards and the Sioux Falls Skyforce of the CBA.

“It’s a huge weight to get off your shoulders as far as thinking about what I would have done if things didn’t work our here, if I would have gone back to the CBA and tried to do that again.”

PLAY OF THE GAME

The half-court shot by Gilbert Arenas midway through the third quarter —even though it was disqualified because the referee ruled his foot crossed mid-court and thus called a backcourt violation.

KEY TO THE GAME

The Mavericks were able to get the shots they wanted at will in the second half, especially in the third quarter when they connected on 55 percent of their field goals and turned a two-point lead into 14.

— John N. Mitchell