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Bobcats-Wizards Preview

Mar 22, 2010 - 10:21 PM By MATT BECKER STATS Senior Writer

Charlotte (35-34) at Washington (21-47), 7:00 p.m. EDT

After dropping back-to-back games to teams in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff picture, the Charlotte Bobcats appear to have a good chance of turning things around.

The Bobcats open a seemingly easy portion of the schedule Tuesday night against a Washington Wizards team trying to avoid losing its 12th in a row.

Charlotte (35-34) won seven of eight heading into Friday's game at Atlanta, and was on the verge of picking up another victory until Joe Johnson hit a fallaway jumper over three defenders just before time expired in overtime to hand the Bobcats a 93-92 loss.

Taking the court less than 24 hours after that heartbreaking defeat, Charlotte came out flat in losing 77-71 to Miami. The Bobcats, in the mix with the Heat, Toronto and Chicago for the final three playoff spots in the East, scored their fewest points since a 92-59 loss at Boston in the season opener.

Charlotte now closes a three-game road trip by facing the Wizards (21-47), owners of the second-worst record in the East. The Bobcats open a five-game homestand Wednesday against Minnesota - the worst team in the West - before another matchup with Washington and games against struggling teams Toronto and Philadelphia.

They'll look to head home on a positive note after shooting a season-low 29.2 percent Saturday. Stephen Jackson missed 17 of 21 from the field, but he still had a team-high 18 points thanks to 10-of-10 shooting from the foul line.

Despite Saturday's disappointing offensive showing, Charlotte was able to stay in the game thanks to another strong defensive performance.

The Bobcats limited the Heat to 35.9 percent shooting and have held each of their last 10 opponents under 100 points. They appear to have a good chance of extending that streak with a game against the offensively inept Wizards (21-47).

Washington has been held to fewer than 100 points in each contest of its 11-game losing streak, averaging 86.8 points. It has had similar trouble scoring against Charlotte this season, averaging 84.0 in losing both games.

The Bobcats, allowing a league-low 93.6 points per game, have won six of seven over Washington.

The Wizards haven't won since defeating New Jersey 89-85 on Feb. 28. Washington, which fell 98-92 to the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday, is two losses shy of tying the worst skid in franchise history, established in 1967 and matched in 1995.

"We've got to find a way to squeak out a win here somewhere," coach Flip Saunders said.

Nick Young led the Wizards on Sunday, matching his season high with 22 points on 7-of-11 shooting. He scored 20 points on 8-of-20 shooting in his previous five games combined.

"It's been hard on me all year, and (Sunday) was a great confidence-booster," Young said.