Toronto beat Washington in exhibition game

The Toronto Raptors edged the Washington Wizards 93-88 on Monday night in an exhibition game before the NBA 2006-07 new season.

Andrea Bargnani, top overall draft pick in 2006, contributed eight points including a three-pointer shot and four rebounds in 13 1/2 minutes. The 2.13-meter Italian entered as a substitute about 5 1/2 minutes into the game.

It was the first exhibition game this season between two NBA teams (others played against European squads).

Fred Jones scored 17 points, and Chris Bosh added 14 for Toronto, which overhauled its roster after a 27-55 season. Jorge Garbajosa's 3-pointer with 38 seconds left broke an 88-88 tie.

Washington played its starting unit -- Gilbert Arenas and free-agent addition DeShawn Stevenson at guard, Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler at forward, Haywood at center -- for nearly the entire first quarter and much of the third. Toronto substituted more freely.

The Raptors missed their first four field goal attempts, and eight of nine, shooting 21.1 percent in the first quarter and 38 percent overall. After a 14-28 behind Toronto came to lead with a 35-16 spur in the second quarter and finished the first half at 46-44.

Washington's Arenas scored a game-high 29 points and bench Hayes added 14, with Jamison 11.

Source: Xinhua