WASHINGTON -- Michael Jordan did plenty of talking early, and scored when the Washington Wizards needed it the most.
Jordan overcame 5-for-14 shooting through the first three quarters by scoring 12 of his 25 points in final period, leading the Wizards to an 89-74 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Monday.
During a first-quarter exchange with Denver rookie Vincent Yarbrough, who grew up rooting for the Chicago Bulls, Jordan shouted: "You remember that, you watched me. I didn't watch you."
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| Washington Wizards' Michael Jordan (23) drives past Denver Nuggets' Vincent Yarbrough (3) during first quarter Monday, Jan. 20, 2003, in Washington. Jordan had 25 points. (AP) |
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Jordan then told his teammates to concentrate on scoring, not trash-talking with the Nuggets.
"I told our guys to calm down and let me do all the talking," he said. "You guys just play, and when we get a lead, then everybody can talk."
Jordan shrugged off his shooting woes by making four jump shots, a driving layup and a finger roll during a decisive 15-4 run. He shot 11-for-22 in the game.
The talking didn't bother the Nuggets early.
Juwan Howard, who led the Nuggets with 25 points, scored 15 points in the first half against his former team, helping Denver take a 42-39 halftime lead.
Washington picked up its defense in the second half, holding Denver without a field goal for six minutes of the third quarter and making the stops it needed in the fourth to prevent a comeback.
"I can't give them experience by waiving a wand," Denver coach Jeff Bzdelik said. "They have to go through it. They have to go through it when the game is on the line."
Before Jordan's fourth-quarter surge, the Wizards counted on Larry Hughes for their offense.
Hughes scored 20 points and sparked a 21-6 third-quarter run during which he gave Washington its first lead with 6:06 left in the third.
Washington extended its lead to 64-57 by the end of the quarter.
"They jumped on us early, and they rocked us back on our heels pretty good," Washington coach Doug Collins said. "Michael and Larry gave us the scoring we needed, so it was hard fought and a much needed win."
Denver closed within six points early in the fourth, but Jordan scored eight of Washington's next 12 points, and his drive to the basket with 4:09 left gave the Wizards a 78-68 lead.
The Wizards' starting frontcourt attempted just three shots in the first half, and Washington was held without a field goal for six minutes of the second quarter.
The Wizards kept the first half close by shooting 11-for-15 from the line.
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