The Washington Wizards (23-43) started off their four-game road trip on rocky footing after the sub-.225 Charlotte Bobcats (15-52) came from behind to win Monday night’s matchup at Time Warner Cable Arena, 119-114.
Recently named Eastern Conference Player of the Week John Wall added 25 points to Washington’s efforts, but the team failed to gain momentum against the Bobcats, who have emerged the victor in three of their four games against Washington this season.
Emeka Okafor led the Wizards’ drive in the first quarter with eight points and Nene posted six of his 21 points on the day, but Josh McRoberts helped the Bobcats to a 32-29 lead into the second.
Jannero Pargo sandwiched a dunk from Nene with two three-pointers to give Charlotte a 49-42 lead with 6:24 remaining in the second quarter before Trevor Ariza responded with a three of his own. Pargo’s 16-footer made it 54-46 with 4:33 until the half, but Washington picked up speed on a layup by Ariza, a hammer from Nene and a layup from Wall to pull the Wizards within two points.
Pargo and Kemba Walker held them off, however, and the Bobcats carried a 63-59 lead at the half.
The Wizards made a strong push coming out of the locker rooms. Okafor and Nene each found the net early on and Martell Webster made all three of his free throws earned on a shooting foul by McRoberts. Nene’s one-handed slam three minutes in put Washington in front 68-67 and after a jumper by Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, the Wizards took the lead – and held it – until Henderson tied it up with 3:56 left in the third.
Ben Gordon’s three gave the Bobcats the lead, which they held until two minutes into the fourth, when Ariza’s layup – coupled with back-to-back threes by Temple – put Washington up 99-96.
With 3:14 left to play, Wall found Booker for an alley oop to put the Wizards in front 111-106. Walker answered with a driving layup and Gordon sank another three to tie it up 111-all. Walker tallied four more points and Henderson drilled one from 25 feet to give the Bobcats a 118-111 lead with 55 seconds left.
Webster added a three just a few moments later, but Bradley Beal’s attempt to add a second fell short and the Bobcats closed out the 119-114 win. Henderson led Charlotte’s efforts by contributing 27 points, along with eight assists and three rebounds, to the Bobcat’s season-high 119 points.
With the loss, the Wizards are now 5-26 on the road this season, which represents the fewest road wins of any team in the league.
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