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Tapscott looks to remain perfect with Wizards

Nov 27, 2008 - 9:54 AM Orlando (11-4) at Washington (2-10) 8:00 p.m. EST

WASHINGTON (Ticker) -- All the Washington Wizards needed was a change in leadership.

Interim head coach Ed Tapscott will look to move to 2-0 when the Wizards face the Orlando Magic on Thursday.

Washington began the season 1-10 under Eddie Jordan, who had led them to the playoffs in each of the last four seasons and was the longest-tenured coach in the Eastern Conference. That tenure ended with the club's slow start, and Tapscott was summoned from the executive offices to the bench.

The Wizards responded in Tapscott's debut with a season-high 124 points in a 124-100 thrashing of the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday.

Caron Butler, who scored 35 points in Tuesday's win, likened Tapscott to President-elect Barack Obama.

"Now that we got 'Obama' on the sideline with us, we're going to ride with it," Butler said. "Tap, he's light-skinned, he stands for change, he's got a law degree, he uses big words, and he's new in the district, and he's in control now, so shout out to Obama. We won tonight. He brought a lot of hope."

Washington pulled down 54 rebounds and shot 51 percent (53-of-105) in snapping a five-game slide.

The Magic are coming off a dramatic win on Wednesday in which Rashard Lewis drained a 3-pointer with four seconds remaining to give them a 96-94 win over the Philadelphia 76ers.

Orlando has won six of seven and dominated the Wizards, 106-81, at home on November 6. Dwight Howard had 31 points and 16 rebounds for the Magic while Butler was limited to 10 points on 4-of-13 shooting.