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Stevenson helps Wizards snap out of funk vs. Hawks

Apr 14, 2007 - 5:47 AM ATLANTA (Ticker) -- DeShawn Stevenson helped the Washington Wizards end their longest losing streak in three years against a team they love playing.

Stevenson hit a season-high four 3-pointers and scored 25 points as the Wizards snapped a six-game skid with an 98-85 victory over the Atlanta Hawks.

Atlanta native Jarvis Hayes helped do in his hometown team, scoring 20 points for Washington, which improved to 11-2 in its last 13 games against Atlanta.

Stevenson scored six points in a 14-0 run to close the first half and the Wizards did not trail thereafter. Atlanta was held without a field goal for the final 5:26 and trailed 49-35 at the break.

"Jarvis Hayes continues to play well for us and DeShawn Stevenson caught fire tonight. For a few possessions I called him Gilbert (Arenas)," Wizards coach Eddie Jordan said. "It was a good team effort. We did make some mistakes, be we kept the lead pretty much after halftime."

"This was a good win for us," Stevenson said. "Especially the we way we played. They didn't have all their star players tonight. At times when teams don't have their great players, we give up wins, but it was goo to gout and play as a team. Jarvis Hayes had a good game. ... In the second half we just kept trucking. To get this win, especially on the road, is good."

Playing for the injured Caron Butler, Hayes shot 8-of-14 from the floor, including 4-of-7 from the arc. Hayes made sure the Wizards have not lost seven in a row since March of 2004.

The Wizards need Hayes to continue his solid play as they are without All-Star's Arenas and Bulter due to injury. Both will miss the playoffs baring an unlikely run.

"This win was very important, because we were on a losing (streak). I'm catching the rhythm at the right time," said Hayes, who starred at the University of Georgia.

"Unfortunately, with Gilbert and Caron down, I've had to step up. When both of those guys went down, the season started for me. ... I had a boatload of people here, about 50 people. It's always nice to come home and see your friends and family."

Marvin Williams tied a season high with 24 points and Tyronn Lue added 16 for the Atlanta, which was without six of its top eight scorers, including top scorer Joe Johnson.

"We have no idea what this team could be like," Hawks coach Mike Woodson said. "Because of all the injuries we haven't had them together long enough to even realize, or get a feel of who can do what together in that eight to ten man rotation. In that regard, it's been a struggle."