Jordan Inspires Wizards
Michael Jordan couldn’t get into a rhythm in his first game back from surgery on his right knee. Still, his presence on the court was more than enough against the struggling Denver Nuggets.
Jordan had only seven points in his earlier-than-expected return, but Richard Hamilton scored 30 and the Washington Wizards routed the Nuggets, 107-75, Wednesday night at Denver.
“I felt pretty good and was moving well, but obviously my rhythm wasn’t quite there,” said Jordan, who wore a protective sleeve on his knee. “I felt good and the guys weren’t looking for me, and they were still being aggressive, which is what I wanted to happen anyway.”
Jordan, playing for the first time since having knee surgery Feb. 27, made two of his first four shots before missing five in a row. He was the fifth player off the Wizard bench, marking the first time since April 5, 1986, he played but was not in the starting lineup.
Jordan was two for nine from the field with two assists, two steals and a rebound in 16 minutes.
“His presence out there I think picks everyone’s confidence up,” said Washington’s Courtney Alexander, who had 16 points. “We were all excited to have him back in the lineup.”
Washington has won three of four after losing five in a row. The Wizards are 21/2 games out of the final Eastern Conference playoff spot.
The Nuggets shot 33% and had 20 turnovers in losing their sixth in a row.
Miami 82, Philadelphia 77--Eddie House scored a season-high 20 points in a reserve role, including two free throws with 8.3 seconds to play to clinch the victory at Philadelphia.
Allen Iverson had 38 points for the 76ers.
Despite an 11-0 record in the second of back-to-back games, the victory wasn’t sweet enough for Coach Pat Riley, who was still bitter about the Heat’s 91-79 loss to the 76ers on Tuesday night at Miami.
“For some reason, it always takes a humiliating loss to correct things, and I have to do something about it,” Riley said. “We just don’t take advantage when we have an edge.”
New Jersey 97, Portland 82--Jason Kidd had 28 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds and the Nets won their eighth in a row at home.
Rasheed Wallace, who played only seven minutes in the first half after picking up three fouls, led Portland with 17 points. The Trail Blazers lost for the second time in 17 games.
“This was a game where we could have easily had our doors blown off and blamed it on last night,” Kidd said. “This shows the character of these guys. Through adversity we stepped up and answered the call.”
The Nets were still smarting from a 100-97 loss to Cleveland on Tuesday on a three-pointer by Lamond Murray with 0.5 seconds to play, which they believe should have been waved off.
Charlotte 94, Indiana 88--Baron Davis made a three-point play with 15 seconds to play at Charlotte, N.C., and the Hornets tightened the Eastern Conference playoff race.
The Hornets, who won a season-high fourth consecutive game, moved into a tie with the Pacers for the seventh playoff spot.
Davis had 25 points and 10 assists.
Boston 96, Cleveland 70--Paul Pierce had 22 points and 10 rebounds, scoring 11 during a 14-0 fourth-quarter run at Boston and the Celtics swept the season series with the Cavaliers.
The Celtics went on a 21-2 run in the fourth quarter.