Boykins’ Free Throws Seal Wizards’ 104-102 Win Over Bucks

Washington, DC (Sports Network) - Earl Boykins made a pair of free throws with one second left in the fourth quarter, as the Washington Wizards held on for a 104-102 win over the Milwaukee Bucks at the Verizon Center.

Gilbert Arenas had a game-high 22 points and Nick Young went for 21 points for Washington, which snapped a four-game losing skid against the Bucks. The Wizards have won two in a row and four of five overall. Brendan Haywood added a game-best 14 rebounds to go along with eight points and Antawn Jamison ended with 15 points and nine boards.

Luke Ridnour and Hakim Warrick each had 20 points apiece off the bench for the Bucks, who were coming off a 99-97 win versus Chicago on Monday. Milwaukee has dropped five of six. Brandon Jennings went for 17 points and seven assists.

It was a rough night for Bucks center Andrew Bogut as he had eight points and seven boards, and was held without a free throw attempt.

“It thought he was really not aggressive,” said Bucks coach Scott Skiles. “He was dribbling too much instead of going into his moves like he has been. He didn’t have his same aggressiveness. He was a little more passive.”

Milwaukee held an 80-79 lead after three quarters and things remained tight for the entire fourth. With the game tied at 86 with 7:45 left to play, neither team was able to pull away by more than three points down the stretch.

Haywood’s dunk and two free throws from Boykins put the Wizards in front 102-99 with 17.4 seconds remaining, but on Milwaukee’s next trip down the floor and time winding down on the shot clock, Jennings hit from beyond the arc to tie things.

After a Washington timeout, it kept the ball in Boykins’ hands and the diminutive guard went hard to the basket before getting fouled by Jennings with one second left. Boykins made both for a 104-102 lead and Ridnour’s off balanced three attempt was off the mark as time expired.

“I was awful from the foul line tonight, but it’s different when the game is on the line,” said Boykins. “It’s actually easier to play when the game is on the line. Tonight I was able to get it done for us.”

Washington held a 26-22 lead after the opening quarter, before Ridnour’s jumper nearly two minutes into the second evened things at 26 and the two teams would go back-and-forth.

Caron Butler’s dunk started a 9-0 Wizards run later in the period and they would be up 35-29 with 7:55 remaining after Butler’s layup.

Milwaukee, however would close the half on a strong note. Warrick’s alley-oop dunk ignited a 10-0 spurt and it would jump in front 49-44 with just over a minute and a half left. Arenas’ bucket got the Wizards to within 54-50 at the intermission.

Both teams exchanged leads several times in the third quarter and the Bucks held a slim 80-79 edge after three.

Bucks head coach Scott Skiles was ejected with 29.7 seconds left in the first quarter after he received two technical fouls for arguing with official Sean Wright. Assistant Jim Boylan took over the coaching duties the rest of the way...Butler ended with 15 points, six rebounds and four assists.