NBA: Jamison casts spell over Raptors

From the Air Canada Centre, Toronto

Antawn Jamison was the hero with a game-high 30 points as the Washington Wizards squeezed their way to a 106-102 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday night.

Gilbert Arenas added 22, taking charge in the fourth quarter to pour in 12 of his points, and Caron Butler had 19. The Wizards have struggled to find a rhythm thus far in the new season but their key trio all came to the party at the Air Canada Centre as they moved to 6-10.

And a fourth Wizard also had a big impact. The unsung Brendan Haywood took advantage of Toronto's lack of physicality inside to score 15 points to go with nine rebounds and a couple of priceless blocks.

In a way, Haywood's contribution was the difference because the Raptors had a productive trio of their own. Chris Bosh led the way with 22 points and 14 rebounds while Andrea Bargnani and Jose Calderon tallied 20 apiece.

The Raptors, for whom this was a fourth straight loss and their eighth in their last 10, have drawn criticism in recent weeks for sloppy third quarter efforts. Against the Wizards, they had no such problems but they fell away in the final 12 minutes, having led 77-72 going into the fourth.

First Arenas then Jamison hurt the hosts in the closing stages. The latter hit a clutch jumper for a 95-91 lead which was the dagger that kept the Raptors at bay. He then put a finger to his lips as the crowd fell silent. Arenas added two free throws for a six-point lead with 2:15 left.

Toronto would get no closer as Hedo Turkoglu misfired on some desperate late shots, allowing Jamison and his improving Wizards to savour a third win in four.