ORLANDO, Fla. — Caron Butler made a 19-foot jumper with .5 seconds remaining, capping the Washington Wizards’ comeback from a 21-point deficit in a 92-91 victory over the Orlando Magic on Friday night.
Washington went down by 21 in the first quarter, went ahead by nine in the fourth, lost the lead again and then came back to cap a wild, wacky victory and improve to 2-0 against the Magic this season.
Butler’s jumper from the corner swished over a charging Matt Barnes and he held his hand in the air in front of the Magic’s bench.
Rashard Lewis had made a go-ahead 3-pointer seconds earlier.
Lewis’ last-chance shot at the buzzer missed, although the Wizards had to wait to celebrate after a lengthy review to see if the clock started too soon.
Butler finished with 31 points and nine rebounds, and Randy Foye had 22 points and seven assists for the Wizards. The two shredded the Magic’s defense in the second half, slicing through the paint at will as they combined for 49 points after halftime. The pair’s aggressive play came at all angles.
In the third quarter alone, they combined to score 34 points while going 14-for-14 on free throws and throwing in some sizzling shots from outside. The biggest might have been saved for last, with Butler’s 3-pointer at the buzzer giving the Wizards a 74-67 lead and adding to Orlando’s frustration.
However, the momentum then shifted again.
After Washington went ahead by nine on Butler’s jumper to start the fourth, the Magic answered with 11 straight points to go back ahead. The run was highlighted by a four-point play, with Jameer Nelson making a 3-pointer and getting fouled by Earl Boykins at the top of the key.
The teams then matched shot for shot to the finish.
