• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers
• Game Tracker

Shorthanded Wizards down Hornets

Mar 16, 2012 - 3:13 AM New Orleans, LA (Sports Network) - John Wall recorded a double-double with 26 points and 12 assists to lead a shorthanded Wizards squad to a 99-89 victory over the Hornets at New Orleans Arena on Thursday.

The big news came off the court, however, as the Wizards shipped big men JaVale McGee and Ronny Turiaf to the Denver Nuggets in exchange for forward Nene, while also sending guard Nick Young to the Los Angeles Clippers for forward Brian Cook and a future second-round draft pick.

Despite being without starters McGee and Young, the Wizards finished with five players in double figures including Roger Mason Jr., who buried four three- pointers en route to 19 points, helping Washington snap its six-game road losing streak.

"I thought our guys, for the day being what it was, fought through a lot of adversity to come out here and get a win," said Washington head coach Randy Wittman. "I am really proud of those guys in there. It is tough sometimes to go through a day of waiting like we had today."

Chris Kaman led the Hornets attack with 20 points, while Gustavo Ayon chipped in 16 points and nine rebounds and Trevor Ariza added 13 points as New Orleans dropped its fourth straight at home.

Neither team gained control in a first quarter that saw six ties and two lead changes as Wall's three-point play with under 10 seconds left tied the game at 28 heading into the second stanza.

Washington finished the half on a 13-6 surge, sparked by Shelvin Mack's three, to take a 56-49 lead into the locker room.

Wall finished the half with 18 points on 7-of-8 shooting from the field.

Washington continued to front-run in the third, scoring 10 of the quarter's first 11 points to take a comfortable 66-50 lead four minutes into the frame.

New Orleans would not go quietly, however, as the Hornets responded with a 19-4 run to pull within one, 70-69, with 1:22 remaining.

Mason finally quelled the run with a triple and the Wizards escaped the third quarter with a slim 75-73 edge.

The Hornets pulled ahead briefly in the fourth on Ayon's dunk for an 81-80 edge, but Mason sank consecutive threes and later added another from long range to cap a 13-0 surge that found the Wizards holding a 93-81 lead with 3:35 to play.

"We used up so much energy to get back into the game and then they hit a couple of threes and it sucked the life out of us," said Hornets head coach Monty Williams. "After that you feel like you have to hit a home run to get back into it and you stop doing what you're supposed to do."

New Orleans never threatened again as Washington cruised down the stretch for the victory.

Game Notes

Washington will travel to Atlanta on Friday, while New Orleans will visit the Nets on Saturday...New Orleans dropped to 4-19 at home this season...The Wizards scored 27 fastbreak points compared to just six for the Hornets.