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Wallace, Bobcats host surging Wizards

Nov 21, 2007 - 2:25 PM Washington (5-5) at Charlotte (6-4) 7:00 pm EST

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (Ticker) -- Thanks to some outstanding play at home, Gerald Wallace and the Charlotte Bobcats are off to the best start in franchise history.

Wallace and the Bobcats aim for their fourth consecutive home victory Wednesday when they host the surging Washington Wizards.

Charlotte has won five of its first seven home contests this season to open the campaign with a 6-4 record, the best 10-game start in the franchise's four-year history.

The Bobcats cruised past the Portland Trail Blazers, 101-92, on Monday on the strength of Wallace's 27 points. It marked the third straight game that Wallace scored 27 points.

Jason Richardson scored 24 points - including the first 10 of the third period - and Raymond Felton also had 24 and 10 assists for Charlotte.

The Bobcats will need another solid all-around effort Wednesday against the Wizards, who have reeled off five straight wins after opening the season with five consecutive losses.

Despite the absence of All-Star guard Gilbert Arenas, the Wizards clawed back to the .500 mark Tuesday with a 116-101 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.

Reserve Andray Blatche scored a career-high 26 points and DeShawn Stevenson scored a season-high 19 for the Wizards, who hope to have Arenas back in the lineup against the Bobcats.

Sidelined for the past two games with a sore knee, Arenas will be a game-time decision.