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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 4:06 p.m., Friday, February 27, 2009

NBA: With Obama in front row, Chicago loses to Washington

By HOWARD FENDRICH
AP Sports Writer

WASHINGTON — Stretching every bit of his 7-foot-6 wingspan, JaVale McGee rose high above the rim to slam in Caron Butler's alley-oop pass, then raised his hand to his forehead and saluted one particular front-row spectator: President Barack Obama.

With the Hoopster-in-Chief at courtside — the first president in nearly a decade to make the mile-or-so jaunt over from the White House to attend an NBA game — McGee, Butler and the rest of the last-place Washington Wizards embarrassed Obama's hometown team, beating the Chicago Bulls 113-90 Friday night.

For the first time all season, the Wizards had eight double-figure scorers, and Antawn Jamison led the way with 27 points and 11 rebounds. John Salmons scored 25 for Chicago, but no one else added more than 11.