MEMPHIS, Tenn. - It had to happen. The Washington Wizards could only hope it wouldn't happen to them.
The Memphis Grizzlies, who lost their first 13 games in a variety of interesting ways, were due to get their first win of the season, and the Wizards were just the fat target, only hoping they wouldn't be the victims.
The Grizzlies finally beat Murphy's Law and an NBA team last night, nearly surrendering a nine-point, fourth-quarter lead before holding off Washington, 85-74.
The Wizards (6-7), who dropped a seven-point decision Friday in Houston, shot poorly, played defense indifferently and generally looked out of sorts.
"We played frenetically at the finish. We took poor shots," said Washington coach Doug Collins. "When we take quick shots from the outside, it really takes away from the real strength of our team."
Memphis (1-13) earned its first win the hard way, failing to collapse in the final three minutes, after Tyronn Lue hit a 15-footer to tie the score at 74 with just under three minutes to play.
From there, the Grizzlies took command, as Earl Watson, who had a career-high 17 points, hit a three-pointer - the only three of the night for Memphis - with 2:37 to go, then Wesley Person scored on a layup with 1:27 left after Kwame Brown missed a dunk and Jerry Stackhouse missed a three-point follow shot.
Surprisingly, the team with a veteran cast, the Wizards, folded down the stretch, shooting only 10 free throws for the evening, while the team without a win and much in the way of hope seized the moment.
"It was their win," said Memphis coach Hubie Brown. "I am proud they kept their focus and won this game. We never talked about the streak and focused on the win. Anyone who has built anything in their life knows that you must go backwards before you can go forward. You have to have patience."
After the game, Michael Jordan, who had a game-high 20 points, including 10 in the fourth quarter, in 32 minutes, hinted broadly that he might move for more playing time, to stem the tide, after the Wizards dropped their third straight.
"I felt good, and you might see that more often, if some of these young kids don't start to play up to their potential," said Jordan, who missed his last three shots in the fourth quarter.
Jordan, who has been coming off the bench for the Wizards to theoretically keep him fresher throughout the season, did not directly say that he wanted to be moved into the starting lineup, nor did he specify which young players he was talking about.
But he did indicate a frustration with the team's sluggish play, which might turn into a demand to Collins, whom he hired as coach, to have him start.
"There's no reason to save it for next year," said Jordan. "Not that we're panicking, but I think it is important for us to start showing at this time a good team consistently. If that means I've got to be on the floor, great. If we can do it without me on the floor, you won't hear nothing from me."
Stackhouse, in his worst game in Washington, had nine points, hitting four of 19 from the field. Wesley Person had 14 points for Memphis off the bench, one of five Grizzlies in double figures.
The win set off a raucous celebration inside the sauna-like Pyramid, which was filled to capacity for the first time all season.
"I don't consider us a victim," said Collins. "They're a professional team, a very talented team, with a great coach. When you play in this league, you respect your opponents. They've been playing very good basketball. They deserve to win [last night]. They outplayed us. I don't live my life as a victim."
Next forWizards
Opponent:Indiana Pacers
Site:MCI Center, Washington
When:Tuesday, 7 p.m.
Radio:WTEM (980 AM)