Playing their first home game of the new year against the Eastern Conference?s best team, the Wizards may have found the turning point in their up and down season. Michael Jordan led with the Wizards with 41 points in a double-overtime victory over the Indiana Pacers, 107-104, in a game which proved to be pure masterpiece theatre last night at MCI Center. With their third consecutive victory, the Wizards improved to 16-17.

In a grinding emotional battle through the end of the fourth quarter and into both overtimes, Coach Doug Collins called upon seldom used veteran Charles Oakley to play the game?s final 27 minutes and provide a key emotional spark. The Pacers had a chance to take the lead at both the end of regulation and at the end of overtime, but each time the Wizards defense provided a Custer-like stand.

?We?ve had our down moments this season, but this is definitely a high. There is nothing like competing?.I just love guys who compete,? said Collins.

Jordan, who played a season-high 53 minutes, scored 16 of his 41 points in the fourth quarter alone. MJ kept the Wizards afloat and had all the answers for Pacers? forwards Jermaine O?Neal and Al Harrington. Jordan simply took over the fourth quarter, draining three-pointers, hitting fadeaways, and on one play, dunking over O?Neal.

"I've been waiting for the moment,'' Jordan said. "I've been getting close. Tonight, with the highest of things at stake, my game came to me. I was able to make a big impact. Hopefully, this is just the start of something big.''