Arenas’ buzzer-beater downs Utah

With the game even and just 11 seconds remaining, the Wizards got the ball to Arenas at the top of the circle and the sharp-shooter ran the clock down, before raising up and drilling a 26-footer with a hand in his face to win things.

Arenas scored 12 of the Wizards last 14 points and finished with 51. Caron Butler added 21 points and seven rebounds for Washington, which snapped a two- game skid. Brendan Haywood chipped in with 10 points and 10 boards.

Memhet Okur dropped a career-high 38 points for the reeling Jazz, who lost their fourth straight contest. Carlos Boozer tallied 27 points and pulled down 13 boards while Deron Williams had 12 points and 13 assists.

After a solid third quarter the Wizards continued to play well early in the fourth. An Etan Thomas three-point play put Washington on top, 88-81, with 10:14 to play.

But, the Jazz responded with a 17-5 burst over the next four-plus minutes to regain the lead. Matt Harpring’s lay-in capped the flurry and Utah had a five- point cushion, 98-93, with 5:26 remaining.

The Wizards didn’t go away, however, and evened things at 106 when Arenas drained his sixth three-pointer of the game with 1:40 on the clock.

The shootout continued just 18 seconds later when Okur answered Arenas by dropping a three of his own to put Utah back on top 109-106.

Any Jazz momentum quickly evaporated when Derek Fisher bumped Arenas as he was attempting another three. The All-Star then went to the charity stripe and calmly drained all three free throws to deadlock things again at 109 with 1:09 left.

After trading putbacks in the final minute, Washington found themselves with a chance to win it with 11 seconds remaining. The Wizards got the ball to Arenas and the sharp-shooter did the rest.

The Jazz ran out to a slim 31-27 edge after the opening 12 minutes and extended their lead to 10, 58-48, at intermission with a solid second quarter.

The Wizards then dominated the third frame to see-saw in front. Arenas poured in 15 points in the quarter and Washington took an 82-78 advantage in the final frame.

Game Notes

The Jazz are 10-10 on the road this season...Washington is a gaudy 15-3 at the Verizon Center this season.