Three days later Jordan opts not to go for 50+ again in rematch against the Hornets, instead scoring 34 while still dishing out 12 assists to lead Washington to another victory, 98-94.

Michael Jordan still gets a little air as he drives to the hoop.

by Fred Schiebel, Head Writer
 
WASHINGTON -- It's perhaps a legitamite question to ask: Was this performance even better than the last jawdropping display he wowed us with?

Michael Jordan put on another spectacular show Saturday night in the Wizards 98-94 victory over the visiting Charlotte Hornets, albeit with a different emphasis than the previous one.  His point total wasn't as gargantuan as the 51 he scored against the Hornets only three nights ago -- this time out he only collected 34 -- but in this outing he also racked up 12 assists. Again, in only 36 minutes.

Which stat line is more impreesive?

"How many assists did he have that game, three?" coach Doug Collins asked. "So he directly had his fingerprints on 57 points for us in Charlotte, 58 points here. So I would say it's a close call. All I know is he's blowing my mind."

How on earth is he doing it, at this advanced age?

"The same way he did all those things back in his prime, actually," coach Doug Collins said. "Sheer iron will."

"We're down two starters," Jordan said. "So all I'm doing is trying to maximize everything I can do on the court as much as possible, and what my teammates can do as well."

The Wizards controlled the game early on, getting out to a 25-21 advantage by the end of the first quarter, then increasing it to six by halftime, 49-43. Hubert Davis led the way with 18 points, 11 of those coming in the opening period, mostly due to his hitting three out of his four shots from behind the arc. Jordan had 15 points at the break as well (7-16FGs), but the real MVP may have been Washington's defense, which held the Hornets to 39 percent from the field.

"We were really moving together well as a unit," Jordan said. "Our cohesiveness is growing better and better, game after game."

It was not a relaxing cruise to victory from there however, as the Hornets broke free of the defensive shackles in the third. Led by Elden Campbell's ten points in the period, the Hornets hit 58 percent of their shots to take a one point lead into the final twelve minutes, 73-72. Jordan's shooting eye faltered, connecting on only three of nine attempts, but Hubert Davis (28 points in 31 minutes) kept Washington close with ten more points of his own.

"Hube has been fantastic for us," Colllins said. "There's been literally no dropoff offensively since Rip [starting shooting guard Richard Hamilton] went down, and I'd be surprised if there was any difference on the other end of the court either."

The Hornets upped their cushion to 85-81 with seven minutes to go. But Jordan took over, finding Courtney Alexander on a pass down low, getting a steal, then on a fastbreak converting the layup and the free throw after getting fouled, capping a Washington 9-0 run that put them back in the driver's seat with 4:28 to play, 90-85.

The Wizards soon extended the lead to 98-89, after which both teams went cold and struggled to score. A swishing Baron Davis three jangled everyone in the MCI Center's nerves, narrowing the gap to four with 49.2 seconds remaining. Alexander missed three shots in a row, but Washington's defense held serve -- until Hornets three point ace David Wesley was left all by himself in the left corner.

Luckily, he missed too. Tyronn Lue came down and clanged a jumper, but Jordan swept in to snag the offensive rebound and the assured victory.

Baron Davis led the Hornets with 24 points and seven assists. Charlotte had three starters who finished with double-doubles -- Elden Campbell (16 points, 15 rebounds), Lee Nailon (13 points, 10 rebounds, and PJ Brown (12 points, 12 rebounds)

"They're a hard-nosed team, I was pleased with how we competed and matched their intensity," Jordan said. "They got a real tough front line."

Not tough enough.