NBA Roundup: Gilbert Arenas pleads guilty, awaits his sentence

Associated Press

Washington Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas pleaded guilty Friday to carrying a pistol without a license in the District of Columbia, a felony conviction that could jeopardize his future in the NBA.

Arenas pleaded guilty to a single count of violating the city's strict gun laws as part of a plea bargain in D.C. Superior Court. He will remain free at least until sentencing March 26.

The charge stems from a Dec. 21 incident in which Arenas acknowledged he stored guns in his locker at the Verizon Center and took them out to play a joke on a teammate.

Defense attorney Kenneth Wainstein said prosecutors have agreed not to seek a sentence longer than the low end of sentencing guidelines, which call for six months to two years. That could include probation, jail time or some combination. Judge Robert E. Morin emphasized he is not bound by prosecutors' recommendation.

Commissioner David Stern has suspended Arenas indefinitely without pay.

Hawks 102, Suns 101: Jamal Crawford hit a long 3-pointer at the buzzer to cap a comeback by host Atlanta.

"I knew I was going for a win," said Crawford, another step closer to the first playoff appearance of his 10-year NBA career. "It felt good. I started backing the other way."

Heat 115, Rockets 106: Dwyane Wade scored 37 points, his second straight big game since suffering a right-wrist injury, and Miami won in Houston.

Sprained his wrist Monday against Utah, then scored 35 points on 10-for-15 shooting in Miami's 115-102 win over the Warriors on Wednesday. He hit 15 of 24 shots against Houston.

He said the wrist is still "very painful," and may not completely heal until the end of the season. That may not be such a bad thing. The injury has forced Wade to put more arc in his shots, with effective results.

"It's helped me mechanically," Wade said. "I've had to shoot it a little higher and it's helped me out a little bit."

Bulls 121, Wizards 119: Derrick Rose scored 37 points to spark host Chicago to a double-overtime victory over Washington.

"Somehow we pulled it out," Rose said. "We've been the type of team that would let it slip at the end. ... It shows how much we're improving."

Antawn Jamison had 34 points and 18 rebounds for the Wizards.

Pistons 110, Hornets 104: With Will Bynum (ankle), Tayshaun Prince (knee) and Ben Gordon (groin) out with injuries, host Detroit relied on two veterans against Charlotte. Richard Hamilton finished with 32 points and 10 assists, both season highs, while Ben Wallace had season bests of 21 rebounds and 13 points.

"Rip's really starting to come back after the injuries," Pistons coach John Kuester said. "He's a warrior, and how big was Ben Wallace tonight? It looks like he's found the Fountain of Youth again — he was head and shoulders above guys on a lot of those rebounds."

Lakers 126, Clippers 86: Kobe Bryant scored 30 points, Pau Gasol had 20 in his return after a six-game injury absence, and the Lakers achieved their largest victory margin over their Los Angeles neighbors since the Clippers moved to L.A. in 1984.