July 19, 2002

BOSTON - Washington put on an offensive exhibition in the second quarter, hitting 9-for-11 from the floor (81.8 percent) and 8-for-10 from the foul line on the way to handing the Minnesota Timberwolves their first lost, 81-69, at the Shaw's Pro Summer League. Juan Dixon led a balanced Washington attack with 16 points, Etan Thomas added 15 points and Jared Jeffries and Bobby Simmons had 13 points each.

The difference in shooting percentage in the second quarter was staggering. Washington (2-2) shot a sizzling 81.8 percent while Timberwolves (2-1) could hit just 33.3 percent from the floor. It was truly a team effort as nine of the 11 Wizards to step on the court in the quarter scored. The Wizards, who led 25-16 after one quarter, blew the game open during a 5:10 span in the middle of the quarter during which they outscored the Timberwolves 15-6 to take a 46-27 lead into the locker room.

The Wizards led 65-48 after three and stayed in command through most of the fourth. Minnesota made a run behind Loren Woods, cutting the Washington lead to 73-65 with 2:26 remaining. But layups by Kwame Brown and Simmons stopped the Timberwolves' momentum and built the lead back to 12, Washington's final margin of victory.

Click here for a box score of Thursday's game.