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Jamison's jumper lifts Wizards over Cavs

Jan 4, 2009 - 10:50 PM By Tim Hipps PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

WASHINGTON (Ticker) -- Antawn Jamison's 17-foot baseline jumper lifted the Washington Wizards to an 80-77 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday.

LeBron James, who had 30 points, six rebounds and 10 assists, was called for traveling on a drive for a potential game-tying layup with 2.3 seconds remaining. Wizards guard Caron Butler added a free throw with one second left for the final margin.

"I definitely knew he traveled, but I didn't think they were going to call it," Butler said. "Two years ago, looking in hindsight, it was the same thing that happened in the playoffs and we get that call, who knows what would have happened with everybody healthy?

"It was one of those situations where a great player made a move and good officiating called the call."

Jamison posted his 19th double-double of the season with 26 points and 13 rebounds.

"It ain't going to make me sleep easier at night or anything like that," Jamison said of hitting the game-winner. "I'm not going around shooting the shot, turn around, and got my hands up.

"The most important thing is the coaching staff trusted me to hit that shot and giving me the ball in that situation, and my teammates finding a way to get it done."

Butler had 19 points and seven rebounds while Dominic McGuire added 10 points and 10 boards as the Wizards snapped a two-game skid with their second consecutive win at home.

"It is a happy locker room, and they deserve it," Wizards coach Ed Tapscott said.

James made two free throws with 1:51 remaining and added a layup for a 77-77 tie with 1:01 left. His three-point play pulled Cleveland within 75-71 with 2:56 remaining.

"It seems like we don't get going when we don't make shots," James said of the Cavaliers, who shot 39.4 percent. "When we make shots, it allows us to flow better."

Daniel Gibson followed with a steal and fed Mo Williams for a breakaway layup that pulled the Cavaliers within 75-73 with 2:39 left.

Gibson was fouled by Jamison on a 3-point attempt and made all three free throws to pull the Cavaliers to 73-68 with 3:26 left.

Jamison's hard-fought putback gave the Wizards a 73-63 lead with 5:12 remaining but the Cavaliers refused to go away.

"It wasn't basketball, it was the mental part of basketball that we were not being successful with, especially after being up by 14 points with six minutes to go in the game," Jamison said. "We waited till the last minute to get it going, but we made some plays, we made the correct plays, and we played smart, as well."

Williams was assessed a technical foul and Cavaliers coach Mike Brown was ejected for running onto the court to argue LeBron James being assessed a foul for charging over Wizards guard Mike James with 6:33 remaining. Butler made the technical free throw for a 71-58 lead.

"I thought Mike James slid over," Brown said. "LeBron tried to sidestep him and I thought Mike James slid over."