Wizards conjure a spell on the visiting Pistons

If nothing else, the Washington Wizards can beat the Detroit Pistons (49-12).

For the second time this season, the Wizards broke out of a slump by beating the NBA`s top team. Gilbert Arenas scored 34 points and Caron Butler had 30 in Saturday night`s 110-92 upset victory over Pistons.

The Wizards ended a five-game losing streak by beating Detroit in two overtimes on Nov. 25, and they are still the only Eastern Conference team with a road win over the Pistons. On Saturday, the Wizards ended a 1-5 slide SU and kept themselves from moving below .500.

The Wizards won by shooting 55 percent, including 59 percent through the first three quarters. They led by six at halftime and then pulled away, scoring the first eight points of the second half to build a 14-point lead. Back-to-back 3-pointers from Antonio Daniels and Antawn Jamison then put Washington in full control.

Arenas made 13 of 19 shots and was 4-of-8 on 3-pointers in his 30th 30-point game of the season. Butler was 10-for-14 from the field. Daniels, starting for the injured Jared Jeffries, added 16 points. The Wizards made a season-high 12 3-pointers.

Rasheed Wallace scored 18, and Richard Hamilton had 16 for the Pistons, who had won seven straight road against the Wizards. Tony Delk scored a season-high 16 points off the bench.

Of most importance in this game was the statistic that Washington`s 59 first-half points equaled the most allowed by the Pistons this season. Not a good game for the Bad Boys.

The Pistons will face the Bobcats at the Palace of Auburn Hills, 6 PM EST. Game Preview