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Wizards and Bobcats tangle in D.C.

Dec 20, 2010 - 8:41 PM (Sports Network) - The bottom-feeders of the Southeast Division clash tonight in the nation's capital when the Washington Wizards continue life without Gilbert Arenas as they play host to the Charlotte Bobcats.

The Wizards dealt Arenas, a three-time All-Star guard to Orlando for forward Rashard Lewis on Saturday. Arenas leaves Washington after spending seven-plus seasons with the Wizards, during which he compiled averages of 25 points and 5.7 assists in 357 games.

However, the former "Agent Zero" he will be also remembered for his numerous injuries (the mercurial guard hasn't played a full season since 2006-07) and the 50-game suspension he received last season in the wake of an incident involving guns in the Wizards locker room.

Lewis, a former All-Star himself, is expected to make his Wizards debut tonight as Washington hopes to end a seven-game losing streak, the latest of which came Saturday when Dwyane Wade drained two free throws with 7.9 seconds left and Miami won its 12th straight game, 95-94, over the Wizards in D.C.

Wade was 0-for-6 from the field in the final quarter and the Heat trailed by five with under a minute left, but took advantage of numerous mistakes by the Wizards, on a day they traded away their top scorer.

Nick Young had 30 points to pace Washington. Andray Blatche added 20 points and 12 rebounds for the Wizards, who committed seven turnovers in the final quarter.

"It's tough to go through key disappointments like that," Young said. "Thinking you had the game won, up four with 18 seconds left, to see the game slip away, it's tough."

The Bobcats, meanwhile, lost for the fourth time in five tries on Friday in Atlanta when Joe Johnson returned to lead a balanced Hawks attack with 16 points, eight assists and five rebounds, as Atlanta topped Charlotte, 90-85.

Johnson had not played since November 28 because of right elbow surgery, and was initially supposed to miss 4-to-6 weeks.

Boris Diaw and D.J. Augustin each scored 22 for the Bobcats, while Dominic McGuire pulled down a career-high 17 rebounds. Despite the loss Charlotte head coach Larry Brown said he wasn't disappointed in his team's effort.

"Oh yeah, I can live with that," Brown said. "You know me, I would never have a problem when we play that hard."

Charlotte has won five straight and nine of the past 10 meetings in the series.