Wizards Can't Eke Out A Win
Depleted Hornets Pull Together Late: Hornets 104, Wizards 97
Saturday, January 13, 2007; Page E01
OKLAHOMA CITY, Jan. 12 -- Wizards Coach Eddie Jordan knew better than to write off the injury-plagued New Orleans Hornets.
"We can't get overconfident and we can't get ahead of ourselves," Jordan warned before Friday night's game.
 Devin Brown leaves Gilbert Arenas in his dust as he drives to the hole during the Hornets' 104-97 win over the Wizards. (Ty Russell - AP) TRACKING THE WIZARDS Andray Blatche will attend 'John School,' a day-long seminar on the ills of solicitation. The Wizards re-sign forward Andray Blatche to a multiyear deal. After a delay, the Wizards finalize a trade of guard Juan Carlos Navarro to Memphis for a draft pick. Wizards Insider Ivan Carter and Michael Lee with exclusive coverage and analysis on the Washington Wizards. NBA Basics |
Perhaps his message fell on deaf ears.
Despite missing their top four players due to injuries, the Hornets stunned the Wizards, 104-97, on Friday night at Ford Center in Oklahoma City, marking Washington's 10th straight road loss to the Hornets (14-22).
"It brings us back down to reality and lets you know you got a long way to go," forward Antawn Jamison said. "These last couple of weeks we've been playing well. But we have to understand that no matter who we play, they're coming after us.
"We just can't get caught up in the hype. We've still got to work. We still have to play the type of basketball that got us to the type of success we have so far."
The loss dropped the Wizards to 20-15, sending them to San Antonio for tonight's game desperately looking to finish this two-game road trip with a victory.
The Wizards wasted a golden opportunity Friday night.
The Hornets were without point guard and reigning rookie of the year Chris Paul because of a sprained ankle. Opening night starters Peja Stojakovic (back surgery) David West (elbow surgery) and sixth man Bobby Jackson (cracked ribs) also were out of the lineup.
Without them, the Hornets have struggled to score this season. They entered the game averaging a league-worst 89.8 points per game and had lost 19 of their past 24 games. But the Wizards made the Hornets look like they, not Washington, were averaging 108.2 points, the second most in the NBA. Friday night was the first time the Hornets scored 100 points or more since Dec. 22.
The Wizards allowed the Hornets to shoot 54.5 percent and watched them make 8 of 16 three-point attempts.
"They came out and played hard," Caron Butler said. "Guys came out and picked up the slack from some of the guys who were out. I just can't wait to see them again."
