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Wizards finally win on road, top Hornets

Dec 12, 2012 - 4:27 AM New Orleans, LA (Sports Network) - Jordan Crawford scored 26 points on 24 shots to lead the Washington Wizards to their first road victory of the season in a 77-70 decision over the New Orleans Hornets.

The Wizards, who lost their first eight games away from the nation's capital, held the Hornets to 28 second-half points to overcome a double-digit deficit and win for the third time this season.

Bradley Beal netted 15 points and Nene chipped in 10 points and 10 rebounds for the victors.

Not even the return of Anthony Davis could prevent New Orleans from losing their fourth in a row. The No. 1 pick in the 2012 draft had missed 11 games with a stress reaction in his left ankle and put up 13 points, eight rebounds, three blocks and three steals in 25 minutes off the bench Tuesday.

Ryan Anderson led the Hornets with 17 points and 11 boards.

The Wizards trailed by as many as 11 in the third quarter, but hung around and pulled within, 60-56, entering the final stanza.

After trading baskets to start the quarter, Cartier Martin drained a 3- pointer, and a Crawford jumper a little later gave the Wizards their first lead, 63-62, with 9:11 remaining.

Crawford broke a 65-65 tie with a deep make, and his three-point play provided the visitors with a 71-65 lead with 4:26 on the clock.

"We were stuck on 65, they were stuck on 65. I just wanted to hit that shot to break the ice," said Crawford.

The closest the Hornets got from there was three, 73-70, following Davis' three-point play with 1:51 to go, which proved to be New Orleans' final points.

Greivis Vasquez missed from in close on the next Hornets possession, and Crawford drained a fadeaway and two free throws in the final minute to account for the final score.

"We were playing tight and playing mistake basketball," Hornets head coach Monty Williams said. "We did not play with the effort that is necessary to win an NBA game. You don't deserve to win when you play that way."

New Orleans wound up shooting 4-of-22 from the field and 1-of-9 from 3-point range in the fourth quarter.

The Wizards shot nearly as badly in the opening frame, and they got doubled up, 22-11, after making a woeful 4-of-18 from the field.

The margin reached 13 in the second, but Crawford and Beal each converted three-point plays in the final minute of the half, cutting the deficit to 42-36 at the break.

Game Notes

Both teams shot just 33 percent from the field ... Vasquez went 2-of-14 from the floor for five points ... New Orleans plays again on Wednesday in Oklahoma City ... Washington heads to Houston on Wednesday before hosting the Lakers on Friday.