Arenas scores 42, Washington tops Seattle to maintain division lead

Antawn Jamison added 21 points for the Wizards, who kept their half-game advantage on Miami in the division, as the Heat won at Atlanta earlier on Wednesday. Washington won for the third time in four games and beat the SuperSonics for the sixth time in the last seven meetings.

Chris Wilcox tallied 27 points and 22 rebounds for Seattle, which has dropped six of its last seven games. Rashard Lewis ended with 26 points and 10 rebounds, while Earl Watson scored 15 for Seattle.

The Sonics played without All-Star guard and leading scorer Ray Allen, who has pain from bone spurs in his left ankle. He could be out the remainder of the season.

Immediately after Lewis sank two free throws to tie the game, Arenas dribbled into the lane by Watson, threw the ball up with his right hand over an outstretched Wilcox and it caromed off the glass and through the basket as time expired.

Andray Blatche had 12 points and Darius Songaila added 11 for the Wizards.

Damien Wilkins and Luke Ridnour each had 12 points for Seattle, while Nick Collison had 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Jamison hit a three-pointer to give the Wizards a 103-101 lead with 1:13 remaining, but Lewis came back with a three 10 seconds later.

Arenas then missed a reverse layup, but Ridnour couldn’t connect on a three-pointer. Antonio Daniels leaked out on a fast break, was fouled by Ridnour and hit two free shots for a 105-104 Washington lead with 22.2 seconds left.

Lewis drove to the basket, but Michael Ruffin knocked the ball away. Lewis tried to get it back, but as he held the ball in his right hand, his left was touching the end line, giving the Wizards possession with 14.6 seconds remaining.

Songaila hit a free throw for Washington, before Lewis sank two foul shots with 10.6 seconds left to square the contest, setting up the dramatic finish.

Washington led 26-19 after one quarter and held a 47-43 edge at the half. It was 77-76 going into the final quarter. Wilcox hit a desperation three at the end of the third.

Game Notes

Arenas went 13-of-24 from the field and also had seven assists. He went 6- of-12 from three-point range...Washington went 11-of-31 from beyond the arc...Seattle outrebounded the Wizards, 55-35.