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GAME FLOW
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Wizards finally have a winning streak.
Mitch Richmond scored 32 points and Juwan Howard got six of his
29 in overtime as Washington defeated the New York Knicks 118-113
Wednesday night.
| | Gerard King and the Wizards suddenly have a winning streak, and there's nothing Larry Johnson can do about it. |
Playing its third game in as many nights, Washington has won two
straight for the first time since victories on Dec. 18 and 21.
Wednesday's game was a makeup of a Jan. 25 contest canceled due to
snow.
"We were out there trying to play hard and get it done,"
Washington's Rod Strickland said. "We got it done tonight."
The loss continued the Knicks' struggles on the second night of
back-to-back games. After beating Vancouver Tuesday night to
improve their record to 11-3 in the first night of back-to-back
games, the Knicks are now 3-11 in the second-night games.
The Wizards' big three of Richmond, Howard and Strickland had
good games together for the first time in a while. The trio
combined for 76 points.
"We need big games from those guys. It makes it a lot easier on
the other guys," Wizards coach Darrell Walker said. "They can be
role players instead of having to score points."
The Wizards shot a season-high 61 percent (46 of 75) from the
field, and hit 83 percent of their free throws (25 of 30).
Richmond, Howard and Strickland combined to hit 31 of 50 from
the field, coming up with several key baskets. Howard scored the
first six points of overtime, and Strickland and Richmond each
scored key points.
"We didn't turn the ball over tonight, and we made some really
good plays," Richmond said. "We took time with our shots, and
came up successful when we really focused."
Washington sealed the win with a 6-1 run in overtime. After
Howard made a layup to tie the score at 108, Rod Strickland made
two free throws to give Washington the lead for good, 110-108, with
1:48 left.
Latrell Sprewell made one free throw for the Knicks 21 seconds
later. But Strickland answered with a 10-foot jumper over the
outstretched arms of Patrick Ewing with 1:05 left for a 112-109
lead. New York never got closer than three points again.
Richmond led Washington with 32 points, 16 of which came in the
first quarter. Strickland finished with 15 points and 10 assists,
while Gerard King had 12 points and nine rebounds for the Wizards.
Sprewell led the Knicks with 33 points, while Ewing and Allan
Houston both added 23.
Ewing dominated play inside, finishing with 16 rebounds before
fouling out in the final minute of overtime. Ewing missed 10
minutes due to foul problems and the Wizards often took advantage
of his absence.
The Knicks led 53-52 at the half, but Washington used a 20-5
third-quarter run to take a 79-73 lead going into the final period.
The Knicks moved back in front in the second minute of the fourth
quarter, and the game remained tight the rest of the way.
The Wizards had two chances to win in the final 10 seconds of
regulation, but King and Richmond each missed 12-foot jumpers. New
York's Larry Johnson then missed a 3-point attempt as time expired
to force overtime with the score tied at 102.
"They played very well," said Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy.
"You have to find a way to get three, four, five minutes of stops,
and we didn't get that."
Game notes Strickland had a double-double with 15 points and 10
assists ... The two teams combined for only 11 offensive rebounds
... The Knicks used only eight players ... The Knicks made 14 of
their first 15 free throws, but only 11 of their final 18.
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Boston 112 Milwaukee 101
Philadelphia 107 Vancouver 90
Washington 118 New York 113
Detroit 130 Denver 116
New Jersey 115 Portland 103
Orlando 103 Chicago 67
Toronto 95 LA Clippers 94
Sacramento 105 Charlotte 92
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