Arenas’ closing free throws leads Washington past Boston

Antawn Jamison had 24 points and eight rebounds while Caron Butler added 20 points for the Wizards, who put an end to a four-game losing streak.

Ricky Davis scored 24 points, dished out eight helpers and grabbed seven boards for the Celtics, who have dropped three of their past four games. Paul Pierce posted 23 points in the loss.

Leading by six points after three quarters, Michael Ruffin’s field goal less than five minutes into the final period gave Washington a 90-80 lead.

However, Boston quickly got back into the game as it ripped off seven straight points to pull within three. Pierce’s three-pointer with 5:20 remaining made it 90-87 and the Celtics then got within one point moments later when Pierce knocked down a pair of free throws.

The Wizards quickly scored four straight points, capped by Jamison’s bucket, to make it a 96-91 game with around two minutes left and increased the gap to seven points moments later.

The Celtics, though, had one final run in them as they scored eight straight points to take the lead. Brian Scalabrine’s three-pointer with 21 seconds left made it 101-100 and Washington’s Caron Butler then uncharacteristically missed two free throws.

Delonte West misfired at the other end with only 12 seconds to go, but West grabbed an offensive rebound and converted the putback to cap the run and give the visitors a 102-101 lead with nine seconds to go.

However, Arenas was then fouled while in the act of shooting and the guard calmly made both foul shots to put the Wizards ahead by one point with three seconds remaining. Davis’ last-second chance was then off the mark as the final horn sounded.

Boston led 28-26 after one quarter and held a 51-45 halftime edge.

Washington, though, came roaring back in the third and closed out the session on a 7-0 run, keyed by five from Arenas, to claim an 82-76 advantage after 36 minutes.

Game Notes

Brendan Haywood had 12 rebounds in the win...The Wizards shot 43 percent from the floor...West scored 17 points...The Celtics converted on 49 percent of their attempts...Boston had won the last three meetings in this series.