Under pressure

MJ says Wizards' playoff hopes rest with Collins

Michael Jordan says he needs to spend more time at point guard to keep the Wizards in the playoff picture. AP

WASHINGTON (AP) -- After a loss to the Dallas Mavericks, coach Doug Collins said his Washington Wizards couldn't have played any better. Michael Jordan didn't quite agree.

The Wizards played the Mavericks tight until Steve Nash made back-to-back long jumpers, a three-point play and two more free throws in the final three minutes of the Mavericks' 110-103 victory Sunday.

"We have an 'L' to show for it, but I sure don't feel like we lost," Collins said. "That might sound crazy, but I sure don't walk away from this building feeling like we lost. That's as good as we can play."

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Jordan, once again playing as a reserve as he recovers from knee surgery, made just 4 of 14 shots to score 10 points with five assists in 28 minutes. Unlike recent games, Collins didn't use Jordan much as a point guard, and Jordan hinted that move by the coach might have made the difference.

"In the past, I could utilize myself a little better playing point guard," Jordan said. "I didn't do that as much tonight. He may have used me up a little, and hopefully in the upcoming games I can play a little bit more point guard where I can control the tempo and not really use my minutes or my energy up trying to get shots. I can create shots for other guys."

Jordan, put on the spot by Collins last week over whether he plans to play next year, returned the favor by putting the onus on Collins for the upcoming rough schedule that starts with Tuesday's game against the Los Angeles Lakers. The Wizards trail Indiana by 2 1/2 games in the battle for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

"It's going to be a tough stretch, four games in five nights," Jordan said. "He's going to have to earn his coaching ring to try to find my minutes and how to minimize my minutes and keep me in the focus of what's happening with this team."

Meanwhile, the Mavericks are also 2 1/2 games back, but they're chasing first-place Sacramento in the West. The key Sunday was Nash, who scored 19 of his 22 points in the second half and had 10 of the Mavericks' last 14 points.

Nash's 3-pointer with 2:19 to go put Dallas ahead for good at 99-96 after the teams were tied at 84, 86, 88, 90, 92, 94 and 96.

"He's going to shoot them and keep knocking them down," said Nick Van Exel, who scored 16 points. "If you're going to keep leaving him open, you're not going to win. If you give him those type of shots, it's going to be a long night."

Jordan, guarded tightly by Adrian Griffin, started 0-for-7 and didn't score until he made a couple of free throws in the final minute of the third quarter. But he made three straight Wizards baskets, the last one tying the game at 96, before missing his last two shots in the game's final two minutes.

Griffin became the Jordan defensive specialist, playing 34 minutes and finishing with five fouls and four steals.

"I about wore him out," coach Don Nelson said. "I played him more in one game than I played him in a month. I did it because he had shut Jordan down in the first half. Whether it was him or the weather or whatever, I didn't want to take a chance on subbing. He called a couple of times -- he was so tired -- I said 'No' and looked the other way, which a coach can do."

The Wizards were competitive because of solid games from all five starters, with Richard Hamilton leading the way with 23 points and five assists.

Dirk Nowitzki led Dallas with 23 points and 12 rebounds. Nash had 12 assists, and Van Exel was 7-for-11 from the field. Griffin and Michael Finley each had 15 points.

The Mavericks seemed on the verge of breaking the game open several times, with runs that built leads of eight, nine and seven in the first three quarters. Each time, however, the Wizards responded to keep the game close until Nash's run at the end.

"Nash hit a couple of 3s," Jordan said. "And that kind of separated the men from the boys."

Notes: Nowitzki left the game when he hurt his ankle on a rebound early in the first quarter, but he returned a few minutes later. ... Dallas forward Johnny Newman missed the game with a strained hamstring. ... The game was the last for the Mavericks against the Eastern Conference. They went 23-7, matching last year's franchise-best mark. ... Wizards G Tyronn Lue returned after missing two games with the flu. ... Singer Carlos Santana was at the game.

 

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