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Wolves Gunned Down By Patient Wizards Shooting In Fourth Quarter

6 December 1997. Washington Wizards 114, Minnesota Timberwolves 103 (record: 8-11)
Game leaders: Webber (33 points), Webber (12 rebounds), Strickland (10 assists)

It was the Wizards shooting and the Timberwolves lack-thereof that won this game for them. For 3 quarters, the Wolves shot well and stayed in the game against the Wizards, leading for much of the game. But in the final quarter, the Wolves shooting touch abandoned them as the Wizards went on a 10-0 run midway through the quarter.

WashingtonPost.com: Wizards Remain Unbeaten at MCI. Scores & Stats: Washington Wizards/Minnesota Timberwolves Game Recap.

The Wizards shot an amazing (especially for this team) 31 of 35 (88.6%) for the game, including a perfect fourth quarter and CWebb going 9 of 10 from the line. Compare that to the Wolves - Tom Gugliotta and Kevin Garnett went 1 of 5 from the free throw line during a critical stretch of the fourth quarter, allowing the Wizards to continue to build a large enough lead to hold onto in the fourth quarter.

The Wizards once again got excellent bench production from Tracy Murray (20 points, 3 3-pointers) and Ledell Eackles, Howard was steady for 26 points (and 8 of 10 free throws), Strickland got 17 points before fouling out, and the Wizards didn't fold in the end. Instead, in some ways this was much like last month's game against the Wolves. Yet another home win in the MCI Center, where the Wizards are undefeated after going winless at USAir Arena this season.

Go figure. Is Tracy Murray right about the lightling making a difference, even though the lighting helps (or hinders) both teams (presumably equally)? Next up are the surprising New Jersey Nets, who are challenging for the lead in the Atlantic Division at this point of the season. This is a good chance to see whether the resurgent Wizards are for real, as well as testing whether the Nets have gotten their wins beating bad teams (in general).

wtf 8 December 1997

Kings Dethroned By Easy Wizards Gameplan

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