SCORE: BULLS 101, WIZARDS 99
The Washington Wizards, playing their first game at Verizon Center in a week, suffered a 101-99 loss to the Chicago Bulls and fell to 16-56 on the season. Washington, which dressed only nine players and saw one of them leave the game at halftime, suffered its fifth straight defeat and fell to 1-3 this year against the Bulls.
Washington got off to a strong start. During a four-minute span of the first quarter, the team used a 12-0 run to take a 22-10 lead before heading into the second quarter up 27-19.
The Wizards extended their lead to 11 points early in the second, but the Bulls outscored them 17-9 to pull within 42-39 with three minutes left in the half.
Thanks to a three-point play from backup point guard Javaris Crittenton, and a turn-around jumper by Jamison, Washington went up 47-41 at halftime.
Chicago then used a 14-0 run in the third quarter to overtake Washington for a 61-55 lead, and never trailed again despite two fourth-quarter charges by the Wizards.
Ben Gordon led the Bulls (33-38) with 21 points, while four of his teammates scored in double digits. Antawn Jamison led the losing effort with 34 points and 11 rebounds, while Javaris Crittenton came off the bench to record 18 points, seven rebounds and five assists.
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