Blatche nets 25 to extend Washington’s streak
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| Washington Wizards forward Andray Blatche (right) reaches for the ball Monday against Bulls center Joakim Noah in the second half in Washington. The Wizards won, 101-95. (AP photo) |
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WASHINGTON – Andray Blatche scored 25 points and had 11 rebounds to lead the Washington Wizards to a 101-95 victory against the Bulls on Monday night.
Blatche, averaging 25 points in the four games since the trades of Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler, helped Washington to its first three-game home winning streak since April 4-12, 2008. He also made all nine of his free throws.
Washington is 3-1 since the trades, and the Wizards ended the Bulls’ four-game winning streak.
“I feel like a leader. I feel like I’m leading my team in the right direction,” Blatche said.
Early in the third quarter, the Wizards scored 14 consecutive points to take a 62-58 lead, holding the Bulls scoreless for 6:10. Blatche, Al Thornton and James Singleton each scored four points in the run.
Derrick Rose scored 22 points to lead the Bulls.
“No way we should have lost this game tonight,” Rose said. “I tried, just trying to attack the hole, doing whatever it takes to win.”
Washington played nearly the entire game without one of its newest players, Josh Howard. Playing in his fourth game, Howard collided with Flip Murray with 4:23 to play in the first quarter. He was helped off the court and suffered a strained left knee.
Both teams made major moves last week. The Wizards made two trades and have four new players, while the Bulls made two trades and also have four new players, although one, forward Joe Alexander is yet to play.
Both coaches, the Bulls’ Vinny Del Negro and Washington’s Flip Saunders, noted that some of their new players have yet to participate in a full practice, reducing the number of plays they could run.
Blatche had nine points in the third quarter when Washington outscored the Bulls, 31-16, as the Bulls missed 15 of their 21 shots. Washington led, 77-72, after three.
The Wizards increased their lead to 93-80 after Blatche hit two free throws with 5:25 to play.
Rose led a late rally that cut Washington’s lead to 96-95 with 1:55 left. He scored nine points in the run, including a three-point play that featured a beautiful scoop shot.
