Washington Wizards coach Eddie Jordan is quick to mention how easily a successful run can end. After all, many teams have had strong stretches this season only to fall flat shortly after.
But following yesterday’s 102-84 whipping of the Dallas Mavericks, the Wizards’ seventh victory in their last nine games, it was clear Jordan is taking satisfaction in his team’s play.
“If you behave the right way and you do things the right way, numbers take care of themselves,” Jordan said. “I think our behavior and our demeanor are in the right places at both ends, offensively and defensively. We’re being nastier and grittier defensively, and our concentration level is up defensively.
“We believe that we know how to execute, and we’re willing to share offensively.”
In other words, the Wizards appear to be transforming, not just on a run. And after what they have done lately, can that really be disputed?
In 10 days, the Wizards (22-17) won an overtime road game against a possible playoff team (Atlanta), twice beat the team with the NBA’s best record (Boston) and now have a victory against a recent NBA Finals team (Dallas).
Caron Butler had 25 points, nine rebounds and five steals, and Antawn Jamison added 23 points and eight rebounds as the Wizards cruised to a victory against the perennial Western Conference power.
Jordan said the Wizards played a complete game, and he was right. Washington never trailed after Butler put them ahead 8-6 on a 3-pointer just three minutes in.
Washington rebuffed every push Dallas made, controlling the game late and keeping the Mavericks, who had won eight of their last nine, from cutting into the double-digit lead for most of the fourth quarter.
The Wizards, who held their sixth opponent to fewer than 85 points, kept the Mavericks to 17 below their season average.
Antonio Daniels, who played with San Antonio when the Spurs won their first of four titles in 1999, said he also sees the Wizards becoming what Jordan described: tougher and nastier.
“The Atlanta game and the Boston games felt like playoff games from the standpoint of their intensity,” said Daniels, who had 13 points and six assists. “When you go through the wars like that, that builds character and that builds toughness because you think to yourself, ’We can go into Boston and beat Boston.’ ”
“You get that confidence and that swagger and that belief in each other that we can go out and play at a very high level.”
Said Butler: “It just shows that we’re a real quality team, and we’re playing exceptional basketball. But it’s over, and we have to prepare for another challenge in Cleveland.”
The Cavaliers, who had won seven of their last eight games entering last night, play host to the Wizards tomorrow.
Dallas’ Josh Howard led all scorers with 32 points. Forward Dirk Nowitzki added 21 points, 11 rebounds and six assists, and Devin Harris finished with 14 points.
But the Wizards had a much more well-rounded offense.
DeShawn Stevenson scored 18 points on 7-for-11 shooting — including going 4-for-6 from the 3-point line. Brendan Haywood (six points, six rebounds and one block) was the only Wizards starter who failed to score in double digits. Rookie Nick Young added nine points off the bench.
“They are getting after it pretty good right now,” Dallas coach Avery Johnson said. “They are getting loose balls and making forced shots. Even when our defense was good they made us pay.”
Wizards report
Yesterday at Verizon Center
SEEN AND HEARD
The Wizards are 6-0 this season when they hold opponents to less than 85 points with all six of those in the last 17 games.
What’s so unusual about that?
Last season, the Wizards did not hold any opponent to less than 85 points.
BY THE NUMBERS
56 Consecutive free throws made by Caron Butler, who was 2-for-2 from the line.
11 3-pointers by the Wizards in 22 attempts, tying a season high set against Charlotte on Dec. 26.
— John N. Mitchell
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