The Wizards' Andray Blatche goes up for two of 30 points, a career high, against the Nets during an NBA game at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC on Oct 31, 2009. Kirk Queen/DC Sports Box
WASHINGTON, D.C.– On All Hallow’s Eve, the Verizon Center was rocking as the Washington Wizards after a long summer, finally had their home opener on the F Street.
With a litany of new faces on the team, along with a new coach, and a healthy Gilbert Arenas, the Wizards first game at home was a resounding success as they walloped the New Jersey Nets, 123-104.
Washington (2-1) dominated New Jersey (0-3) on Saturday with amazing execution, precise shooting, and breath-taking athleticism from everyone.
The crowd of 20,173 in attendance showed nothing but love to the home team and the atmosphere – from the amazing pre-game introduction to the very end – they did their best to forgive and forget last season.
With Antwan Jamison and Caron Butler out with injuries, the Wizards could have easily had their hands tied behind their back, but that would not be the case.
All eyes were on Glibert Arenas as he mesmerized the crowd with 32 points, plus reminded everyone why he’s the franchise player. Although Arenas has all but ditched his fun loving ways and outsized personality in a favor of a more serious, subdued one; however, he was vicious on the floor as he was 9-of-13 from the floor and 3-of-4 from three-point territory.
Washington head coach Flip Saunders said of Arenas during the post-game press conference, "He's very serious right now. He's very committed."
The Wizards are only three games into a long season, but if the result from the home opener – especially when it comes to Arenas – is any indication of the team’s success, this is a team reborn.
Meanwhile, Arenas’ supporting cast stepped up the plate as Andre Blatche – off the bench – with a career high 30 points and was 15-of-18 from the floor. New Wizard Randy Foye had 17 points to go with eight assists, while Brandon Haywood and DeShawn Stevenson both had 10 points each.
The Wizards were nothing short of dominant as they shot 61.5 percent from the floor and made 9-of-14 shots from the three-point territory.
New Jersey’s Chris Douglas-Roberts had 25 points and Rafer Alston had 20, but their contributions were of no consequence on Saturday.
Both teams started out evenly in the opening quarter and New Jersey held the lead throughout of most of it, but Washington took the lead, 21-19, off a Mike Miller dunk. The Wizards ended the first period up 28-24 and sent the Verizon Center into frenzy as after Gilbert Arena hit a 40-foot, unreal, three-point jumper with a second left.
It seemed from that moment that the Wizards went into another gear.
Washington, in the second quarter, increased their lead over New Jersey and ended it with a 62-51 advantage. They turned up the intensity even more in the period and outscored their opponents, 34-27.
Then, the Wizards simply would run over the Nets in the second half. They outscored the Nets 37-18 in the third quarter, took a 99-79 lead into the fourth quarter and never looked back.
The Wizards will travel to Cleveland to take on the Cavaliers on Tuesday, November 3rd.
