According to the Associated Press, the Wizards believe that the Cavaliers, or more specifically LeBron James, have an unfair advantage the way the referees favor calls involving the young star.
Wizards coach Eddie Jordan said Saturday, what he thinks should have been a traveling call is part of a pattern of James getting protection from referees. He said that's the type of help Washington's own All-Star, Gilbert Arenas, isn't receiving in the first-round Eastern Conference series that Cleveland leads 2-1.
"I'm not going to get fined for saying what's obvious. Everybody sees it," Jordan said after practice ahead of Sunday's Game 4 against the Cavaliers.
"I want to give all the credit to Cleveland, [coach] Mike Brown and his staff and their players, but the truth is the truth. I want our players to understand that we did a lot of things to win the game, and because a travel wasn't called, you don't win the game."
James banked in a 4-footer with 5.7 seconds left after moving past Antonio Daniels and drawing contact from Michael Ruffin, the shot providing the final margin as Cleveland beat Washington 97-96 to reclaim home-court advantage in the best-of-seven series.
Via Associated Press
Washington Wizards, Cleveland Cavaliers
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According to the Associated Press, LeBron James now officially has his first NBA Playoff game winner.
James, who scored 41 points, drove around Antonio Daniels, collided with Michael Ruffin and banked in a 4-footer on the way down with 5.7 seconds left, giving the Cavaliers a 97-96 victory and more importantly a 2-1 advantage over the Washington Wizards.
Gilbert Arenas missed an open 3-pointer at the buzzer that would have won the game.
"It went in and came out. You're going to miss more than you make in your career," Arenas said. "I missed that one, but I'm going to have more opportunities to make them."
Via Associated Press
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Brendan Haywood has been attempting to establish himself as an enforcer in the Wizards' 1st round series versus Cleveland, but at least one member of the Cavaliers isn't too fond of the center.
"He's a baby," reserve guard Damon Jones said. "Period."
Then Jones repeated himself.
"He's a baby, period," he said. "Babies can't foul hard. He's a big kid. He's not out to hurt anybody. He's just doing what his coach tells him to do. I don't make a big deal out of that."
Via Washington Times
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Wizards Apr 2006 Archive
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Washington Post | Apr 28, 2006
Gilbert Arenas is averaging 28 points per game so far in the playoffs, but has definitely picked his spots during the first two games, as he is defended primarily by former teammate Larry Hughes.
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Washington Post | Apr 26, 2006
According to the Washington Post, Wizards coach Eddie Jordan had to be pulled away from a heckling fan by two assistant coaches as the coaches walked off the court at the end of the first half last night in Cleveland.
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NBA.com | Apr 26, 2006
The Wizards had a balanced scoring attack from Gilbert Arenas, Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler, as they pulled out an 89-84 victory over the Cavaliers in Game 2.
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Washington Post | Apr 25, 2006
Jared Jeffries will be a restricted free agent this summer and he knows that an impressive performance in the playoffs could give his value a big boost.
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USA Today | Apr 22, 2006
LeBron James finished with 32 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists, becoming the first player since Magic Johnson to post a triple-double in his first playoff game as the Cavaliers opened their campaign with a 97-86 win over the Washington Wizards.
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Washington Post | Apr 21, 2006
Etan Thomas, who missed the final three games of the regular season with a lower back sprain, worked out yesterday with the Wizards and will be ready to play for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first-round playoff series on Saturday, according to Wizards Coach Eddie Jordan.
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New York Post | Apr 20, 2006
Wizards' forward Jared Jeffries is one player who Knicks coach Larry Brown would like his team to pursue this offseason.
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Press Release | Apr 16, 2006
With their win tonight against Cleveland, the Washington Wizards clinched a spot in the 2006 NBA Playoffs.
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Associated Press | Apr 16, 2006
The Chicago Bulls blew out the Heat 117-93 on Sunday to secure their second consecutive playoff appearance.
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RealGM.com | Apr 15, 2006
Ben Gordon went 9-for-9 from downtown, finishing with a team high 32 points as the Bulls beat the Wizards 103-101 in Chicago.
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Washington Post | Apr 14, 2006
The Wizards weren't expecting to have to work so hard to finish off their regular season with a playoff berth.
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Washington Post | Apr 13, 2006
Etan Thomas returned to the Wizards' starting lineup after missing 2 1/2 games with a lower back strain.
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Washington Times | Apr 12, 2006
With just five games left in the regular season, the Wizards (39-38) need one victory to earn a playoff berth for the second consecutive season.
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Washington Post | Apr 11, 2006
Still unable to even palm a basketball, Caron Butler missed his third consecutive game with a sprained right thumb Monday.
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Washington Post | Apr 9, 2006
The Washington Wizards could be without center Etan Thomas for at least a week after Thomas strained his lower back during Friday night's loss at Atlanta, the Washington Post is reporting.
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Washington Times | Apr 8, 2006
The Wizards were without starting forward Caron Butler (sprained right thumb) and their top reserve, Antonio Daniels (sprained left wrist).
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Washington Post | Apr 4, 2006
Brendan Haywood has been replaced in the starting lineup by Etan Thomas, which could create a stir in the Washington locker room.
