Washington Wizards defeat Dallas Mavericks in pre-season opener
Even though he only played eight minutes in the game, Lester Hudson was the very unlikely hero last night in Dallas as the Washington Wizards opened up their pre-season with a 97-94 victory
over the Mavericks, who were also playing their first game.
With the game tied at 94 apiece, the 6ft 3in guard, playing in only his ninth NBA game, connected on a three-pointer to put his team up with just over two seconds remaining. Adam Haluska
of the Mavericks tried for a desperation three-pointer at the buzzer but it wasn’t even close.
Winning a game is never a bad thing but the Wizards are likely more excited about the impressive debut of their rookie and number-one overall pick in the NBA Draft, John Wall. The point
guard out of Kentucky had 21 points and nine assists in an impressive display of speed and passing skills. He got to the line 11 times, making nine of them.
There was concern among some that it would be challenging for Gilbert Arenas, the face of the Wizards for so long, and Wall, the new young star, to co-exist in the backcourt. Arenas put
that controversy to bed however, essentially declaring the Wizards as Wall’s team.
"He's going to be great," Arenas said. "He has a knack for finding people and getting to the basket. ... He's Batman, I'm Robin."
Fans, players, and coaching staff all hope that the arrival of Wall, and the return of Arenas after a long suspension for bringing firearms to the arena, will allow the Wizards to improve
upon a very disappointing season last year, where they finished with a 26-56 record.
"Overall, John kind of led us," Washington coach Flip Saunders said. "He's got unbelievable speed, makes good decisions, ends up with nine assists and only two turnovers."
Saunders had claimed earlier in the day that Wall would be involved in “three or four” spectacular plays.
"I had a couple," said Wall, when asked about his coach’s prediction. "But the most important thing was to get the jitters out of the way. I had a lot of assists and was able to get to
the free throw line."
Andray Blatche led the Wizards with 22 points and five rebounds while Arenas finished with 12 points. Yi Jianlian, the seven-foot centre out of China, began his Wizards debut with a double-double,
finishing with 11 points and 10 rebounds. The fourth-year player was traded from the New Jersey Nets this summer.
Jason Terry led the Mavericks with 15 points and three steals while fellow team-mate and former MVP Dirk Nowitzki added 11 points and five rebounds.
Josh Howard, a key addition to the Wizards’ roster during the off-season, did not play as he recovers from knee surgery.
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