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McGee leads Wizards over Bobcats

Jan 29, 2012 - 6:04 AM Charlotte, NC (Sports Network) - JaVale McGee had 22 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks on Saturday, as the Wizards downed the Bobcats, 102-99, for their first road win of the season.

Nick Young scored 21 and John Wall had 13 and 10 assists for the Wizards, who had dropped their previous eight away from home. Trevor Booker added 16 points off the bench and Jordan Crawford chipped in 12 points and seven assists as a reserve.

"I think this was a good learning experience," said Washington head coach Randy Wittman. "Our guys grew tonight. We've been down this path many times, but tonight we nailed it."

Kemba Walker notched his first career triple-double in the loss, scoring 20 to go with 11 assists and 10 rebounds. Byron Mullens had a career-high 23 points and Boris Diaw added 21 and 10 assists for the Bobcats. They have lost eight in a row for the first time since 2007.

Washington led 83-78 after three and was up by nine after opening the fourth with a pair of free throws from Booker and a jumper by Young. Charlotte, though, responded with a 14-3 run to go on top. Diaw set up Matt Carroll for a trey during the surge, knocked down a pair of free throws and found Mullens for the go-ahead jam with 6 1/2 minutes left.

Back-to-back buckets by Booker and Young had the Wizards up four, but Walker responded with a three to make it 100-99 with a minute remaining. The Bobcats would get no closer.

Mullens goaltended on a McGee bank shot on Washington's next possession, then missed an potential game-tying three on the other end. He got his own rebound, but Diaw's scoop layup rolled off the rim and into the arms of McGee with seven seconds left.

Charlotte got one more look after McGee missed a pair of free throws, but Carroll's deep trey found the front of the rim as the buzzer sounded.

Earlier, the Wizards closed the second quarter with a 13-4 run, turning a back-and-forth half into a 58-48 lead at the break. Wall threw down an emphatic, one-handed jam during the stretch, Young hit a pair of jumpers and Rashard Lewis knocked down a corner three to cap it as the buzzer sounded.

Game Notes

The Wizards were the last NBA team to earn a road win this season...The last time the Bobcats lost eight in a row was February 24-March 10, 2007...Walker's triple-double was the third in franchise history, with Diaw and current Milwaukee swingman Stephen Jackson recording the others.