WASHINGTON (AP) - Led, as usual, by All-Star forwards Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison, and with a boost from rookie Javale McGee, the Washington Wizards avoided the first 0-6 start in franchise history by beating the Utah Jazz 95-87 on Wednesday night.

With their teammates hopping on the sideline to cheer baskets down the stretch as though this were a playoff game, Butler and Jamison scored 15 consecutive points during part of the fourth quarter. The spurt was capped by Jamison's 3-pointer that put Washington ahead 84-82 with 2 minutes left.

Butler finished with 27 points and nine rebounds, while Jamison had 21 points and eight rebounds. First-round draft pick McGee, a 7-footer who left Nevada after his sophomore season, set personal NBA bests with 13 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks.

(Copyright 2008 By The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)