WASHINGTON - It's not often that a guy who plays only seven minutes and scores only two points draws the lion's share of attention after a game, but then, Charles Oakley isn't just any basketball player.
Last night, Oakley's experience and knowledge were just what the Washington Wizards needed to pull out an emotional, 105-102 win over the Utah Jazz at MCI Center.
Oakley, 38, in his 17th NBA season, had been largely an afterthought for the Wizards (5-4) this year, playing just nine minutes in Washington's season opener in Toronto on Oct. 30.
But in a game in which experience was sprinkled heavily on the court, Oakley was the ace in the hole, entering in the last seven minutes, with the Wizards trailing by seven.
By the time the quarter was over, Oakley had hit two free throws and turned in two sparkling defensive plays, one on the final Utah possession as he twice stripped DeShawn Stevenson as the Jazz guard tried to rise up to shoot a potential game-tying three-pointer.
"I've been sitting over there being patient, and [Coach] Doug [Collins] just told me to be patient," said Oakley. "I don't want start nothing and be complaining about this and that. I'm old, but I still have a feel for the game. I can still play the game. When I go out there, I want to be ready to help my teammates win."
The Wizards, who were being manhandled by the physical Jazz, turned to Oakley, mostly to check Karl Malone and to set a physical presence. Malone only scored four points in the final seven minutes, and Oakley, who stands 6 feet 9 and weighs 245 pounds, gave the Wizards some experienced beef inside.
"Toughness down the stretch wins basketball game," said Wizards forward Bryon Russell, who played nine years for the Jazz, and scored a season-high 16 points last night.
"He hasn't played the whole season, but he came in the last five minutes and he laid wood. He played Karl Malone the way you're supposed to play him. Everybody should watch and learn from that."
Said Michael Jordan: "We needed a veteran guy. I felt Karl was utilizing his knowledge against some of our kids and that influenced the referees to some degree. Oak came in in a minute's notice and played a heckuva ballgame. That's what it's all about: waiting for that call and, when the time comes, he steps in and does his job."
Tellingly, even though Oakley didn't have a rebound in his seven minutes, his presence was felt on the boards. The Jazz (3-6) had a 12-2 rebounding advantage in the fourth period before Oakley entered the game. After he came in, Utah had only three rebounds the rest of the way.
"I don't know how many games he's going to play for us, but if I can pick and choose his spots with him, he can help us win," said Collins, who collected the 300th win of his coaching career. "That's why he's here. But I know he'll be ready, and he brings toughness. And he's got the quickest hands still. Did you see the last two plays? He's like a cat."
Washington blew a 21-point second-quarter lead, falling behind by as many as seven in the fourth quarter, before Jordan and Jerry Stackhouse provided the offensive punch to lead the comeback.
Jordan, who had 19 points, scored the go-ahead points with 2:14 to go as he spun past Matt Harpring on the baseline, laid the ball in and was fouled. He made the free throw to give Washington a 95-92 lead.
Meanwhile, Stackhouse, who had 25 points to lead Washington, hit eight free throws in the final 4:33, including the final two with 4.5 seconds remaining to seal the hard-fought win.
In all, after Larry Hughes missed the first of two foul shots in the opening quarter, the Wizards made 34 straight free throws until Tyronn Lue missed a pair in the final 18.1 seconds.
Malone scored a game-high 26 points to lead five Utah players in double figures.
Next for Wizards
Opponent:Miami Heat
Site:MCI Center, Washington
When:Tomorrow, 7 p.m.
TV/Radio:Comcast SportsNet/WTNT (570 AM)