It's a story that has been told many times over the last few seasons, however, in the Wizards' first home game of the 2009 year, the story had a different ending. With the game tied at 77 with under 30 seconds remaining, Antawn Jamison hit a clutch baseline jumper to give the Wizards a two-point lead with 10.5 seconds left. It was at that point when the script flipped on LeBron James and the Cavaliers, as James drove and finished what would have been a game-tying lay-up, but as the ball dropped through the hoop, the whistle of Bill Spooner blew, and the official called James for the correct traveling violation, thus negating the basket and sending the sell-out crowd at Verizon Center into a frenzy as the Wizards walked away with a nail-biting, 80-77 win over their rival.

"The most important thing is getting a win," said Jamison. "We knew that Cleveland was going to come out and try to prove a point as far as what happened in the last game and the history with these two organizations. No matter what the record is we always try to play a great basketball game and give the fans what they want to see. It's fun to be a part of these games and it's also fun when you get a win."

In what turned into a defensive battle in the second half, the first quarter was anything but, as Washington's offense came out firing and scored on their first six possessions against the league's best defense to take a 14-6 lead. Following the hot start, Caron Butler carried the Wizards for the rest of the quarter, dropping in 11 points in the first including a buzzer-beating, fadeaway bank shot to give the Wizards a 26-23 lead after one.

The start of the second was similar to the first as Washington came out determined to improve on their three-point lead, and did just that jumping their lead into double-digits at 43-32 following a driving lay-up by Butler. The run was led by a strong inside presence as Washington outscored the Cavaliers 16-4 in the paint and out-rebounded Cleveland 23-16 in the half on their way to a dominating 52-35 rebound advantage for the game. Despite, the Wizards' interior play the Cavaliers closed the quarter on an 11-4 run to make the score 47-43 Wizards at the break.

"Rebounding has been the biggest key for us when it comes to winning," said Jamison who finished with 26 points and 13 rebounds. "I think the team that out-rebounds the other when we play Cleveland typically wins the game. They have a very good rebounding team. You always want to out-rebound Cleveland because then you can limit their second chance opportunities and you can create offense and more possessions against their tough defense."

Facing the team that allows the fewest points in the league per game, the Wizards proved to be the much better defensive team in the third, holding Cleveland to just 11 points in the quarter and 25% shooting from the field in building a 14-point lead heading into the final 12 minutes. Inserted into the starting lineup a few weeks back for his defense, Dominic McGuire rose to the occasion against arguably the league's best offensive player, limiting James to just four points in the third, while also corralling five boards in the quarter on his way to a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

"Dominic has been terrific all season and especially since he's been starting," said Interim Coach Ed Tapscott. "He's one of those guys that does all those other things that don't necessarily make it into the box score. In tonight's game he had to guard the two-guard, the three and the five. That type of versatility is a great thing to have. He works hard and he embraces his role."

With the Wizards leading by 14 entering the fourth, the game quickly started moving to the playoff type of intensity and physicality that these two teams have brought to their previous playoff series. The play seemed to favor the Wizards at first, but following the ejection of their Head Coach Mike Brown, the Cavaliers came back and eventually tied the game at 77 following a lay-up by James with 1:01 remaining in the game. After a Wizards turnover and a missed shot by Delonte West, the Wizards turned to Jamison who wound up hitting the game-winning shot with 10.5 seconds to play.

"We tried to run a play the guys are very familiar with," said Tapscott. "We ran something that we run all the time for Antawn. He made a real smart play. He had two options on the play. He can either post up or step out. In late-game situations you are better stepping out and facing the basket. He made a terrific play and that is why you have veterans."

The Wizards will now look for their second straight win on Tuesday when they take on the division leading Orlando Magic at 7:00 p.m.