John Wall and Kyrie Irving played against each other for the first time ever, but it was Antawn Jamison who lit up the Wizards and Washington who had the last laugh.
Here's the Magic vs. Wizards quick-hit recap. Take 100 seconds to catch up on the news, notes and must-see from last night's Wizards action -- good and bad -- with 'Postive Pixels, Wicked Pixels.' It's your morning-after Wizards hangover cure.
Positive Pixels
• Jordan Crawford is doing just fine as a starter, thanks. While Nick Young sat out with the lingering effects of a bruised right knee he suffered in the fourth quarter Wednesday against Orlando, Crawford went off in his second straight start. On Wednesday he faded in the fourth (failing to score a point), but Saturday Crawford kept cooking late, scoring 12 in the final frame. Can Randy Wittman justify returning him to the bench when Young comes back?
• John Wall came out aggressive and finished with 24 points (8-of-17 shooting) -- none more impressive than when he showed off his "track speed" at the end of the third quarter, taking an inbounds pass with 3.9 seconds left and knifing to the cup to tie the game at 78-78. He also had a big block late on Irving that prevented a possible game-tying and-one.
• Andray Blatche's oddly helpful return saw the forward collect nine rebounds and dish out five (!!!) assists. Dray only took three shots (missing them all, air-balling one) but that's not too bad for his first game in six months. In the locker room, Wall gave Blatche a hard time about all the jewelry he had on. 'Dray replied: "I got to shine some way some how." Too funny.
Wicked Pixels
• Bad habits are hard to kick. JaVale McGee even brought back The JaVale McGee Fast Break Experience™, though in fairness to him he pulled back on his second break, drew the defender and dished to Jordan Crawford for an open dunk. Still, Wittman was forced to bring back his favorite metaphor: "Cigarette smoking is a tough habit to beat."
• For three quarter, the Wizards could not defend Antawn Jamison (29 points, nine rebounds). Jamison scooped, jerked and pick-your-wily-veteran-cliche'd his way to get the best of his former team. The Wizards checked him with Trevor Booker and Jan Vesely, who took a while to get used to his awkward style. A positive: Washington clamped down on Jamison, who didn't score in the fourth quarter.
• Streamers. The Wizards sent streamers flying out of the basket at the end of the game like it was the Super Bowl. It was weird.
You know it's been a long time since the #wizards won. Streamers fell after 101-98 victory over CLE. Who needs Game 7 when you have win 8?
— Michael Lee (@MrMichaelLee) March 4, 2012
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