Another controversial foul call and too many missed foul shots at crucial times cost Boston a second chance for a victory against Washington.

01:00 AM EST on Thursday, January 26, 2006

BY SHALISE MANZA YOUNG
Journal Sports Writer

BOSTON -- They did it again. The referees, that is.

Once again, a last-second foul call against the Boston Celtics cost them their game against the Washington Wizards, though this one wasn't as questionable as the one in Washington earlier this month.

With 1.7 seconds to play, Wizards' guard Gilbert Arenas knocked down two free throws, giving his team an 89-87 victory over Boston in a finish that was eerily similar to the game these two teams played Jan. 7 at the MCI Center.

In that game, Arenas hit two free throws with 3.5 seconds to play after a questionable call by the officials, ending Boston's bid to win after coming back from seven points down in the final 30 seconds.

Last night, Washington inbounded the ball with just under 24 seconds to play and Arenas held the ball outside the 3-point circle, letting the time tick down. Davis tracked Arenas halfway across the court, but when Arenas cut back inside, Davis reached after him. Kendrick Perkins pinned Arenas' layup attempt on the glass, but the foul had been whistled by Luis Grillo.

Just to be sure, the officials watched the replay. They did not change their minds.

Paul Pierce had the ball in his hands to try to get Boston the win, but his quick shot from the left corner hit the side of the rim as time expired.

Of course, there were differing opinions on the foul after the game.

"I went in and Ricky just slapped my arm," Arenas said.

"I didn't touch him," said Davis. "It wasn't a foul. That's a last shot, a desperation shot. I think (the officials) should have just let it go, (let the game) go into overtime."

"It's a tough one," Celtics coach Doc Rivers sighed. "There were three decisions (in a row) that didn't go our way. I think that's tough, when your guys are playing their butt off and that happens to you. I just know at the end of the game, the players should decide the game."

Rivers thought a loose-ball foul called on Davis (13 points, 4 assists, 6 turnovers) with under a minute to play was a close call, and said a foul could have been called on Pierce's last shot of the game.

Still, the feeling among the Celts was that this game shouldn't have come down to those free throws.

Keyed by mercurial veteran Mark Blount, who came into the game in the fourth quarter and scored 11 points in under 10 minutes, Boston was up, 81-74, with 4:12 to play after a turnaround jumper from Pierce (25 points, 10 in the fourth quarter and 11 rebounds)

But three Celtics turnovers and two missed free throws by Pierce (he missed eight on the night) at one end of the court and 7-of-8 made free throws from the Wizards at the other swung the game in the Wizards' favor. They tied the game on a three-point play by Antawn Jamison (game-high 26 points, 9 rebounds) with 2:46 to play, and took the lead on a pair of free throws from Jamison and a long two-pointer from Arenas.

Arenas scored 19 points, had 5 rebounds and dished out 4 assists. Center Brendan Haywood put up a season-high 21 points, 14 in the first half.

Pierce scored the next six points for his club, and Jamison's foul shots tied the game at 87 with 52.4 seconds left. Pierce missed two more from the stripe, but the ball went off Haywood and out of bounds. Davis' shot missed the mark, setting up the final play.

"You know, we looked back at the tape," said Delonte West. "There was contact made, but we're not upset about that. We're upset that we didn't close out the game when we had them (down). We have to do a better job of closing out games."

smanza@projo.com / (401) 277-7340