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Raptors top Wizards behind Bargnani

Jan 8, 2009 - 7:00 AM By Tim Hipps PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

WASHINGTON (Ticker) -- Andrea Bargnani had 25 points to lead five players in double-figures in the shorthanded Toronto Raptors' 99-93 victory over the Washington Wizards on Wednesday.

Chris Bosh scored half of his 18 points in the fourth quarter and added eight rebounds and six assists for the Raptors, who never trailed.

"I knew that coach was going to call my number a few times," Bosh said. "So there were a couple of times I just wanted to get to the rim and was able to finish at the rim. I just tried to keep the ball moving if I felt two guys were guarding me, and my teammates did a great job of making plays."

Anthony Parker added 15 points, Will Solomon 14, and Jason Kapono 12.

Antawn Jamison, who led Washington with a season-high 32 points on 13-of-23 shooting, grabbed his 6,000th career rebound in the third quarter. He finished with seven rebounds before fouling out with 12 seconds left.

"Nah, man, no, no, no," Bosh replied when asked if he felt sympathetic for Jamison's lack of support. "Nobody's gonna feel for me. I've been there before, you know? I've had tough seasons and I know he's a great guy and a very good basketball player. And I know he understands that's the life of the NBA."

"I get paid to play hard night in and night out," Jamison said. "No matter what the circumstances are, I am going to continue to do that. Of course, we're accustomed to a certain type of success around here, and it's tough right now - but things like this only make you better in the future."

Nick Young's tough baseline take pulled the Wizards within 80-75 with 7:20 remaining, the closest the Wizards got since the score was 7-2.

Bosh responded with a three-point play and two free throws, and Kapono added a 3-pointer to put the Raptors ahead by 10 with 4:45 left.

Caron Butler had 15 points, six rebounds and six assists for the Wizards.

Bargnani, Parker and Kapono scored 10 points apiece to lead Toronto to a 50-38 halftime lead.

"We started out well, shot the ball well, got in a nice groove and the Wizards weren't making shots," Kapono said. "But in the second half, they started playing better. They gave us a scare, but we just closed the game out.

"We only had nine guys so everyone knew we were going to get a chance to play. It feels good that we've won three out of our last four, and hopefully we can build from here."

Parker and Bargnani made back-to-back 3-pointers that gave the Raptors a 46-25 lead midway through the second quarter.

"Every time we get a lead, we always lose the lead," said Bargnani, who shot 8-of-9 from the field. "We were up 21 points. We have to get better to try to increase the lead or at least hold the lead."

Bargnani had seven points on 3-of-4 shooting and Toronto led 27-16 after one quarter. The Raptors shot 71 percent in the period.

The Raptors were without Jermaine O'Neal (right knee contusion) and Jose Calderon (strained right hamstring), neither of whom traveled with the team. Jamario Moon also missed the trip for the birth of his daughter on Wednesday.

Toronto also traded guard Hassan Adams and cash considerations to the Los Angeles Clippers for a future second-round draft pick. Signed as a free agent on July 8, Adams appeared in 12 games, totaling 11 points and seven rebounds in 52 minutes.

"I have seen a good performance from a lot of our guys and many of them have stepped up due to the fact that some players are out," Raptors coach Jay Triano said. "The trade shook the locker room a little bit, but there has been good progress and we got the win tonight."

The Clippers immediately cut Adams, who was in the Raptors' locker room after the game.

"You never know. You never know," Adams said. "All I can do is just be ready, and that's where I am. Here was more of a 'Thank you for having me here.' I could've been playing and I could have not been playing. It was a good experience for me. That's why I came here to make sure they got the 'W' and to see everybody to make sure everybody was good. That's just me."

And life in the NBA.