NBA coaches have come up with a new wrinkle in attempting to contain aging icon Michael Jordan.

It goes like this: Let him run free to score virtually all the points he wants in the first half. Then hope he's so exhausted he doesn't have the energy to handle the increased defensive pressure applied in the second half.

Minnesota and Philadelphia were successful in sending the Wizards to losses. Cavaliers coach John Lucas won't tip his hand, but don't be surprised to see similar tactics employed tonight at the MCI Center in Washington.

"I'm just hoping that he doesn't score all their points," Lucas said.

In the first half of Washington's 105-101 loss to the Timberwolves, Jordan erupted for 22 points. In the second half, facing numerous zone-traps, he missed 13 of 15 shots and was held to seven points.

In the first half of Tuesday night's 91-84 loss in Philadelphia, Jordan hit 13 of 19 shots to score 28 points. Under some severe defensive pressure in the second half, he was held to two points - missing 7 of 8 shots from the field.

"They [the Sixers] really sacrificed their defense in the second half to take me out of the game," Jordan, 39, told reporters after the game. "I'm not surprised. Minnesota did it the night before."

Teams have had some success with this because Richard Hamilton, Washington's second-leading scorer, is out with a partially torn groin. "Right now," said Jordan, "they consider this to be a one-man team."


Getting closer:

Center/power forward Michael Doleac, who will miss his 30th straight game tonight recovering from a stress fracture of the left ankle, says he is close to being activated.

"My wind is not yet there," he said, "but I am very close to being in game shape. I have no problems with the ankle at all."

In 12 games before going down, Doleac averaged 7.2 points and 6.2 rebounds in 26.9 minutes. "We miss his toughness," said General Manager Jim Paxson.

Finally:

The Cavs are looking to end a 10-game losing streak. They have not lost 11 in a row since the 1990-91 season. . . . The Wizards have dropped six of seven. . . . Jordan is averaging 24.1 points, 6.4 rebounds and 5.0 assists in 36.1 minutes a game. He's shooting 40.6 percent from the field and is no longer the 3-point threat he once was. From downtown, he's shooting 16.7 percent (7-of-42).