Game 2
Player in Watch
Antoine Walker
Antoine Walker shows once again why the Wizards traded for him. He has been a deciding factor in each game so far.
The final score - 127 to 122
Throughout the game, it seemed the Wizards were fighting a losing battle. The Wizards trailed by at least 10 since the beginning of the game. Nobody seemed to be connecting from 3 point land, not even Walker or Radmanovich. Gilbert Arenas also shot poorly from the field. Antoine Walker was plauged with foul trouble. There was a bright spot, however. Reggie Evans did his work, and managed to grab an unbelieveable 13 rebounds by the end of the 1st quarter. Walker was carrying his share of the scoreload, but was forced to sit through most of the 3rd due to foul trouble. Before the start of the 4th, Gilbert rallied his team to make a comeback from a 16 point deficit. Walker sat out the beginning of the 4th, with 5 fouls, as Arenas and Radmanovich scored consistently to keep the Wizards in the game. However, the Wizards were being killed by Tortonto's fast break. Whenever the Raptors got the ball, they sprinted back to the other end of the floor to get an easy basket. It was tough stopping them, and finally Reggie Evans was put back in to get the offensive boards. At the 6 minute mark, Walker was put back in, and the comeback gained momentum. The Wizards made a huge comeback to the point where they were up by 1 at the 1 minute mark, their first lead of the game. At this point, both teams traded baskets. Walker pulled a big three, but Carter answered at the other end. With 30 seconds left, the Wizards let the time run down, then dumped the ball to Walker, one of their crunch time performers. He was backing down his defender in the low post, Vince Carter, then pulled a fadeaway jumper and swished right in the hands of the defense. There were 10 seconds left on the clock, Wizards up by 3, 122 125 Walker went for a steal, and got all ball, but was called for a foul, and fouled out of the game. The Wizards weren't in the penalty, so the Raptors inbounded the ball again. Mo Peterson went for a 2 point jumper, but missed, and Evans got the board, was fouled, and ended up making both free throws, sealing this game for good.
Player of the Game - Gilbert Arenas
Despite shooting only a 35% FG percentage, and a 16% 3 point percentage, Gilbert Arenas kept the Wizards in the game early in the 4th, and ralled the team to victory.
Play of the Game
Antoine Walker scores the game deciding shot from the low post, as Vince Carter foolishly taunts him, and Alvin Williams wandering like a lost puppy.
Stats:
Washinton:
Gilbert Arenas-
28 Points
9 Rebounds
4 Assists
2 Steals
Reggie Evans-
4 Points
16 Rebounds
4 Assists
Vladimir Radmanovich-
19 Points
5 Rebounds
2 Assists
Antoine Walker-
17 Points
2 Rebounds
2 Assists
1 Steal
Toronto:
Vince Carter-
22 Points
3 Rebounds
0 Assists
2 Steals
1 Block
Chris Bosh-
6 Points
15 Rebounds
2 Assists
3 Blocks
3 Steals
Mo Peterson-
17 Points
3 Rebounds
3 Assists
Alvin Williams-
31 Points
2 Rebounds
4 Assists
1 Steal
Jalen Rose-
26 Points
5 Rebounds
4 Assists
2 Steals
Donyell Marshall-
6 Points
11 Rebounds
1 Steal
1 Block
Next game @ Home vs New Jersey