Wizards' Playoff Dreams Still Flicker

April 18, 1998 / 11:08 PM EDT / CBS/AP

It was either the end of an amazing journey, or the start of a second season many thought could never happen.

The incredibly resilient Washington Wizards, who tip-toed all week on the edge of the playoff abyss, finished the regular season Saturday night with their fourth consecutive must-win, a 112-95 victory over the Boston Celtics.

Now, despite all the distractions injuries, arrests, a grand jury investigation the Wizards can make the playoffs if the New Jersey Nets lose to Detroit and Orlando falls to Charlotte on Sunday, the last day of the season.

"It's been a roller coaster, man," center Terry Davis said. "(A week ago), I never thought we'd be in this position. But with all we've been through, we deserve a little something."

One week ago, the Wizards were four games out of the final playoff spot with four games to play. They've since beaten the Knicks, Cavaliers, Heat and Celtics, while the eighth-place Nets have dropped three straight.

The Wizards' final-week surge came without point guard and NBA assist leader Rod Strickland, who missed the last six games with a torn thigh muscle. The team has also been playing under the shadow of a grand jury investigation into a sexual assault complaint naming Juwan Howard and Chris Webber. Plus, Webber is awaiting trial on a charge of marijuana possession, and Strickland recently appeared in court after a vehicle-related arrest.

Webber and Howard, clearly on a short fuse, exchanged words with heckling fans during the game, and the victory left Webber feeling a measure of vindication about the Wizards' resurgent finish even if they don't make the playoffs.

"The satisfaction is to shut everybody up that's been on the team's case all year," said Webber, who had 27 points and 13 rebounds.

Of course, the underachieving Wizards wouldn't be in this predicament if they had played with the authority, confidence and teamwork they showed against the Celtics.

Seven players scored in a 25-6 run that broke open a close game and put Washington ahead 89-77 early in the fourth quarter. The spurt included consecutive dunks by reserve forward Darvin Ham, both set up by Webber, and some clutch drives by season-long backup point guards Chris Whitney and God Shammgod.

"I'm proud of the team," said Howard, who scored 18 points, "how we've remained calm through all of the adversity we've been through throughout the season. And we've been able to fight toward the end."

Tracy Murray finished with 21 points for the Wizards, while Whitney had 18 points and five assists.

Antoine Walker and Ron Mercer scored 18 points each for the Celtics, who finished 36-46 in their first season under Rick Pitino, a 21-game improvement over last year's 15-67 mark. Walker also had 13 reounds.

"At the start of the season, I thought we were in trouble," Pitino said. "But if I look back at the season and judge it, I'll have a smile on my face. Tonight was typical we need to improve. How do you go from 36 (wins) into the 40s? That's the next thing we tackle. We've got to add to this team in talent. What we lack in talent, we make up with energy."

The Celtics used strong offensive rebounding and took advantage of the Wizards' weak free throw shooting to take a 69-64 lead in the third quarter, but then their offense fell silent against a trapping Washington defense that forced the Boston guards to give up the ball early. The Celtics shot only 32 percent for the quarter.

Last year, the Wizards ended an eight-year playoff drought by beating Cleveland on the last day of the season. This season has also come down to the last day, but the players have no control over their destiny. It's a scenario so frustrating that Davis doesn't even plan to watch Sunday's games on television.

"No," he said. "I don't want to sit there and cry."

Notes: The Wizards finished the regular season 24-12 in their first season at the MCI Center. ... The Celtics finished 12-29 on the road. ... The Celtics won the season series 3-2. ... Boston point guard Kenny Anderson missed the last six games of the season with a bruised bone in his left knee. ... Pitino returned to the bench after missing Friday night's game with a stomach ailment. Assistant Jim O'Brien had taken charge of the home victory over Cleveland. ... Wizards center Ben Wallace tied career highs in rebounds (13) and steals (5).