Peterson Prayer Helps Raps Edge Wizards In OT
Posted March 30, 2007 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
It’s a shot that will go down, not only in Raptors lore, but in the history of the NBA as one of the most improbable buzzer beaters ever.
Down three with three seconds left, Morris Peterson took a deflected football pass from Anthony Parker, and from easily 30 feet out heaved it directly into the bottom of the net as the final seconds ticked away.
The circus shot sent the game to overtime, and in the extra frame a stunned Washington Wizards squad was no match for the rejuvenated Raps, as Toronto finished the job Peterson started with a 123-118 win on the road.
Chris Bosh scored eight of his 37 points in overtime for Toronto, which improved to 40-32. With 10 games left on the regular season schedule, the Raps’ playoff chances are looking better and better. Ditto for their first Atlantic Division title.
The goat on the night was definitely Wizards forward Michael Ruffin, whose failed attempt at a celebratory toss skyward allowed Peterson one last hurl toward the basket. It was a hurl of destiny.
As per usual, Gilbert Arenas led the way for the Wizards, and the MVP candidate dropped 34 points to go with seven assists.
But he was no match for Bosh, who gobbled up 14 rebounds and had five helpers of his own. The Raptors all-star also had a huge block on Arenas with three seconds left that factored into the final.
Bosh finished things off going 4-for-5 in the overtime period, all but ensuring Mo Pete’s game-tying prayer wouldn’t go to waste.
Toronto will surely be on a high after Friday’s amazing finish, and that energy should carry over to Sunday when they host the lowly Charlotte Bobcats.
