Wizards 97 - 91 Hornets
Final
  for this game

Bobcats try to revive playoff push vs. Wizards

Apr 3, 2011 - 2:55 PM (Sports Network) - The Charlotte Bobcats hope to resume a late season playoff push tonight in the Queen City against the woeful Washington Wizards.

The Bobcats suffered a big loss in Orlando on Friday and fell two games behind Indiana for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with just seven games to play. Dwight Howard powered his way to 26 points and 14 rebounds in that one, as the Magic earned an 89-77 win over Charlotte.

Dante Cunningham posted a career-best 21 points for the Bobcats, who had a four-game winning streak broken. D.J. Augustin added 19 points for Charlotte, which was without Stephen Jackson, the team's leading scorer this season, due to a strained left hamstring.

The Bobcats are just 2-6 without Jackson in the lineup this season and his status for tonight's game remains up in the air. Meanwhile, center Joel Pryzbilla was ruled out for the season earlier this week with a knee injury and big man Tyrus Thomas is also questionable with an assortment on injuries.

"That's exactly what's driving us, even with being as short-handed as we are," coach Paul Silas said of the injuries. "These guys are still playing with teams that we can beat."

The Wizards won for the second time in three games on Friday when rookie Jordan Crawford recorded his first career triple-double, and Andray Blatche finished with 36 points and 19 rebounds, leading a John Wall-less Washington team to a 115-107 victory over the Cavaliers.

Wall, who is expected to return tonight, was suspended one game for his altercation with Miami Heat center Zydrunas Ilgauskas on Wednesday. But, Crawford helped fill the void with 21 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds. Blatche, meanwhile, matched a career high in points, set a career high for rebounds and snared a franchise record 16 offensive rebounds.

"I'm going to make sure we play a team game," Crawford said. "I didn't feel I had to do that much. I just wanted to get the team involved and then pick my spots."

JaVale McGee added 25 points for the Wizards.

The Bobcats have won 10 of their last 12 games with Washington, including five straight in Charlotte.






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