ATLANTA -- The Washington Wizards moved up the Eastern Conference standings with their first win in Atlanta in six years.
[b]Tony Brown Super Bowl Jersey[/b] . The Hawks are in a free-fall in the conference and must decide if a trade-deadline move is needed to stop their losing streak. John Wall scored 21 points and Washington recovered after almost blowing a 20-point lead to beat the reeling Hawks 114-97 on Wednesday night. "We needed it real bad," said Washingtons Trevor Ariza, who made an improbable 75-foot shot to end the third quarter. "Especially if were trying to make the playoffs these last 28 games. This one was big for us. Especially knowing that we havent won here in a while. I think that gives us a little bit of momentum." Paul Millsap had 21 points and 11 rebounds, and Elton Brand, a fill-in starter at centre, had 20 points and 11 boards for the Hawks, who have lost seven straight. Trevor Ariza and Bradley Beal each had 19 points for the Wizards, who snapped a three-game losing streak. Washington ended an 11-game skid in Atlanta, winning for the first time since Jan. 11, 2008. The Wizards moved a half-game ahead of Atlanta in the battle for fifth place in the Eastern Conference. "We know its a two- or three-game spread from the third spot and its two or three games away from being in the eighth spot or out of the playoffs, so its definitely a tight race right now," Wall said. "Weve just got to find a way to get on a streak. We havent been on a good streak. I think its time for our team. We deserve a winning streak." The Hawks, who trailed by 20 points in the first half, made a third-quarter charge to twice cut the deficit to one point. The Wizards closed the period with 3-pointers by Martell Webster and Ariza. Arizas 3-pointer was the shot of the game -- a buzzer-beater from near the free throw line on the other end of the floor to end the period. "Once I let it go, it felt good," Ariza said. "I tried to do my best to go to the bench not get too excited because we had another quarter to go. Im just happy we got the win." Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer said the 3s by Webster and Ariza turned the momentum. "I think its a very fine margin of error for every team in the NBA," Budenholzer said. "I think we had it down to two. Webster hit a tough 3-pointer from the corner. Then we let our guard down a little bit, and (Ariza) made a shot from the three-quarter court. It went from a two-point game to an eight-point game. That was a tough 15-second stretch." Washington had lost three straight and five of six before beating the Hawks. The Hawks had only nine players in uniform. Gustavo Ayon, who had been the fill-in starting centre, was held out after hurting his right shoulder in Tuesday nights loss at Indiana. Guard DeMarre Carroll missed his third straight game with a left hamstring strain. Brand, 34, who has averaged 16 minutes as a backup, played 35 minutes and set his season high for points, while matching his high for rebounds. Brand wouldnt blame the teams losing streak on a shortage of players. "It seems like were dealing with a myriad of injuries, but we definitely have enough players to win," Brand said. "We need to find a way to win and get this monkey off our back and stay in the race." The Hawks have a severe shortage of players at centre. They already have lost All-Star Al Horford for the season after he had surgery to repair his torn right pectoral muscle. Horfords backup, Pero Antic, is out indefinitely with a stress fracture in his right ankle. Budenholzer said the injuries do not add urgency to make a deal before Thursdays trade deadline. Wizards centre Marcin Gortat took advantage of the Hawks lack of size, scoring 14 points with 12 rebounds. Martell Webster had 13 points. NOTES: The official play-by-play listed Arizas shot as a 57-footer, but replays confirmed the shot was much longer, launched from near the Hawks free-throw line. ... Washington had seven players score in double figures. ... Ariza made five 3-pointers. ... Kyle Korver made his first 3-pointer of the game late in the first half, extending his NBA record to 122 consecutive games with a 3. ... G Cartier Martin, also making his fourth start, filled in for Carroll and scored only four points.
[b]Paul Hornung Super Bowl Jersey[/b] . This week they discuss Russias mens hockey team, the ineptitude of the IOC handling the Nicklas Backstrom situation, John Tortorellas many apologies, and Canadas strong showing in curling.
[b]Preston Smith Super Bowl Jersey[/b] . There were no real chances until Augsburg broke the deadlock through Raul Bobadilla in the 33rd minute. Frankfurt failed to clear a cross and Bobadilla slotted home from close range at the far post. Following their overtime victory in Game 1 last night, the Canadiens were back on the ice Thursday in Tampa, with the main focus of practice once again on special teams, as the team tries to crack an 0-for-25 power play slump over the past nine games, and 0-for-16 against the Lightning this season. Despite the lack of success with the man advantage, Montreal holds the series lead thanks in much part to the work of the fourth line, which features rookie Michael Bournival, grinder Dale Weise and playoff veteran Daniel Briere. That was the line which generated the game winning goal last night. It was a play where Weise still admits his eyes opened up when he saw the pass coming from Briere. The assist on the goal gives Briere 110 career playoff points, which ranks him third in career post-season points among players in this years playoffs; Marian Hossa has 113, while Henrik Zetterberg leads the way with 114. In a fun side note, Briere had an on-going battle all night with Lightning forward Cederic Paquette, who played junior hockey with the Blainvillle-Boisbriand Armada, a team in which Briere has a stake in ownership.
[b]JK Scott Super Bowl Jersey[/b]. All four lines got in on the scoring for Montreal last night with goals from Tomas Plekanec, Brian Gionta, Thomas Vanek, Lars Eller and Weise. For Gionta, it marked his third career shorthanded playoff goal. He last scored shorthanded for the Devils in the 2006 playoffs. The Habs captain has 32 career playoff goals in 96 games. Eller recorded his first playoff goal and his second marker over his past three games. Michel Therrien moved into a tie for 58th all-time with Terry Crisp, Al MacNeil and Harry Sinden for playoff games coached, while tying Mike Milbury at 58th for all-time playoff wins with his 23. Travis Moen practiced with the team for the second time this week, but will not play in Game 2. The Canadiens arent expected to make any line-up changes for tomorrow night. Game 2 of the Canadiens-Lightning can be heard Live on TSN 690 Montreal, TSN 1050 Toronto, TSN 1200 Ottawa, TSN 1290 Winnipeg and Team 1410 Vancouver at 7pm ET/4pm PT. ' ' '
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