Washington Wizards Team Report - December 30

(Basketball News) - Washington lost to Detroit as Chauncey Billups scored the game-winning basket with 0.7 seconds left to lead the Pistons over the Wizards, 107-105, on Wednesday at the MCI Center.

Gilbert Arenas netted 34 points and Larry Hughes scored 30 along with seven assists and six steals for the Wizards, who have dropped three of their last five.

Washington led by as many as 19 in the first half before taking a 59-42 edge into the intermission. The Wizards only turned the ball over four times in the first half. The Pistons did not throw in the towel though, starting the third frame on an 18-4 burst to get within three. Billups completed the run on a three-pointer midway through the frame to cut the deficit to 63-60 for Detroit.

The Pistons got no closer the rest of the third and trailed 79-74 after 36 minutes. Detroit went on a 13-4 run in the fourth to take their first lead of the game since the first quarter at 98-96 on a three-pointer by Billups with 4:06 to play.

The game was then knotted at 105-105 with the Pistons in possession of the ball. Billups let the clock tick down and drove towards the net, settling for a jump shot for the win.

Arenas has scored in double-digits in 18 straight games. He is averaging 23.5 points and 4.8 assists in his last 10 contests.

The Wizards are off until Friday when they visit the Boston Celtics. It will be the second meeting of the season between the clubs. On November 17th, the Wizards defeated the Celtics, 110-105, in overtime at the MCI Center.