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Wizards aim to improve home record against lowly Bobcats

Dec 1, 2006 - 1:50 PM Charlotte (4-11) at Washington (5-9) 7:00 pm EST

WASHINGTON (Ticker) -- Gilbert Arenas and the Washington Wizards clearly have been a different team at Verizon Center this season.

The Wizards look to continue their strong play at home when they host the Charlotte Bobcats on Friday.

One of the Eastern Conference's top teams a year ago, Washington has gotten off to a slow start this season due largely in part to its 0-7 record on the road. But the Wizards have avoided digging themselves an even larger hole by winning five of their first seven games here.

Caron Butler scored 21 points as the Wizards overcame a poor performance by Arenas in Tuesday's 96-95 triumph over the Atlanta Hawks.

Arenas also scored 21 points but shot just 7-of-19 from the floor and committed nine turnovers. Antawn Jamison chipped in 18 points for Washington, which snapped a four-game skid.

Aside from Tuesday's outing, Arenas has been outstanding here, averaging 33.1 points while shooting 49.2 percent from the arc in seven games. The All-Star guard is averaging just 18.7 points on the road, connecting on just 28.4 percent of his shots.

The Bobcats hope to conclude their three-game road trip on a winning note after splitting the first two contests.

Sean May collected 21 points and 17 rebounds off the bench Wednesday in Charlotte's 99-90 loss to Atlanta.

Raymond Felton had 21 points and seven assists while fellow point guard Brevin Knight added 17 points for the Bobcats, who fell to 2-6 on the road this season.

Friday's game marks the first meeting this season between the Southeast Division foes. Washington went 3-1 in the season series last year and is 7-1 all-time against Charlotte, which has gone winless in its four games here.