Washington Wizards Team Report - January 1

(Basketball News) - The Washington Wizards found themselves on the wrong end of a 108-103 decision against the Boston Celtics on Friday at the FleetCenter.

Larry Hughes poured in 33 points, pulled down six rebounds and handed out six assists for Washington, which has dropped four of its last five contests. Antawn Jamison finished with 29 points and seven boards in the loss.

Gilbert Arenas (flu) and Kwame Brown (ankle) both missed the game for the Wizards.

Anthony Peeler’s three-pointer midway through the fourth quarter staked Washington to a 92-87 advantage. The Celtics, though, responded with a 12-3 spurt, capped by Paul Pierce’s three-point shot, to regain the lead by four with three minutes left.

The Wizards then battled back and took a 100-99 lead on Jamison’s three- pointer with two minutes remaining.

After Boston received baskets from Mark Blount and Gary Payton to take a 103-100 advantage, Hughes drained a three-pointer to tie it with 57.8 seconds left.

Pierce was then fouled and made 1-of-2 free throws with 34.5 seconds remaining to make it 104-103 in favor of the Celtics.

On the next possession for the Washington, Hughes missed a jumper and the ball later went out of bounds off the Wizards’ Jarvis Hayes. Jiri Welsch was then fouled with 11.5 seconds left and proceeded to make both attempts from the stripe to put Boston ahead by three.

The Wizards had a chance to tie, but Jamison missed an open three-point shot from the corner. The Celtics got the rebound and Ricky Davis was fouled. He sank both free throws with 3.3 seconds remaining to seal it.

Washington returns to action on Sunday against the Atlanta Hawks.