Bobcats-Wizards Preview

By TAYLOR BECHTOLD
Posted Nov 24 2012 12:17AM

The Charlotte Bobcats appear much improved on the heels of their historically woeful season.

The Washington Wizards, meanwhile, are currently stuck in their own forgettable futility.

Two teams headed in different directions meet Saturday night when the host Wizards look to end their worst start in franchise history against the surprising Bobcats.

Charlotte knows a little something about epic struggles, having finished with the worst winning percentage in NBA history after going 7-59 last season.

That seems long ago these days, with the Bobcats (6-5) matching their best start in their nine-year history. They have a chance to equal their entire win total from last season with a victory over Washington (0-10).

The Bobcats had won five of six before Friday night's 101-91 loss to visiting Atlanta.

Ramon Sessions, who gives Charlotte some energy off the bench, led the way with 22 points. Kemba Walker, the team's leading scorer, added 16 and nine assists.

After failing to reach double figures in his first eight games, rookie Jeffery Taylor did it for the third straight game with a season-high 16.

"For me, the coach is telling me to be aggressive on offense and I'm trying to learn and pick my spots and play off the other guys," Taylor said.

Charlotte, however, shot just 37.3 percent from the field and allowed the Hawks to make 53.8 percent, including 11 of 22 from 3-point range.

The Bobcats surrendered 100 points to an opponent for the first time in six games and failed to make more use of Atlanta's 22 turnovers, scoring 19 points.

"We didn't take enough advantage of those," coach Mike Dunlap said.

Washington also missed its chance to finally steal a win on Wednesday night when Martell Webster appeared to score on a putback as the buzzer sounded against Atlanta. The officials, though, ruled the basket came too late, and the Wizards were saddled with a 101-100 defeat.

"We thought we had won," Webster said.

Washington is the 13th team in NBA history to open a season with 10 straight losses, but still has a way to go to match the 2009-10 New Jersey Nets for the worst start in NBA history at 0-18.

The Wizards are having a tough time finding their way without point guard John Wall, who remains out indefinitely after injuring his left knee in September. They rank near the bottom of the NBA in scoring (88.2) and field goal percentage (40.0 percent).

Washington, though, did get a boost with Nene's return on Wednesday. The center, who missed the first nine games with a left foot injury, came off the bench to score 12 points.

Kevin Seraphin made the most of his first start of the season, finishing with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Trevor Ariza had 12 points and 15 rebounds to help the Wizards gain a 58-37 advantage on the boards.

Washington had been outrebounded in each of its previous seven contests.

"It is hard right now," Nene told the team's official website. "The game (against the Hawks) proved we can do it. We just need to stick together."

The Wizards had won five straight against the Bobcats before losing 92-76 in Charlotte on Nov. 13. Sessions led four Bobcats in double figures with 21 points.

Charlotte held Washington to just 29.8-percent shooting, and Ariza was the only Wizard to finish in double figures with 19 points.

Bobcats keep Wizards winless with 108-106 2OT win

Posted Nov 25 2012 12:01AM

WASHINGTON (AP) A season ago, the Charlotte Bobcats were the losingest team in the history of the NBA. The Washington Wizards are trying to avoid that distinction.

The Bobcats beat the Wizards 108-106 in two overtimes on Saturday night, equaling their win total from last season in just their 12th game.

In the lockout-shortened 2011-12 season, Charlotte was 7-59, the lowest winning percentage in NBA history. They're already 7-5.

Washington was hoping to win its first game, but fell to 0-11.

"We were that victim, but we didn't play it," Bobcats coach Mike Dunlap said.

"We're trying to go from the losingest organization in the history of the NBA to establishing where people have to respect us. I don't know anything about wins. I do know about respect."

The Wizards and their fans tried desperately for their first one. One fan held up a sign that read: "All I want 4 Christmas is a win."

Washington has 14 games between now and Dec. 25, and if it doesn't win before then, the Wizards would be 0-25 and easily set a record for the worst start in NBA history. New Jersey went 0-18 to start the 2009-10 season.

The Wizards led 103-101 with 1:27 to play in the second overtime, but Reggie Williams hit his only shot of the game - a 3-pointer to give Charlotte a 104-103 lead with 1:18 to play.

"It's hard to win a game," a disheartened Washington coach Randy Wittman said.

"You have to make plays down the stretch. I thought we had three great looks, they just didn't go in. A lot of things - start of the game, start of third quarter. That lies with me. I'm not pointing a finger at my players. Obviously, it lies with me, I know it lies with me and I need to figure a way out to get this righted. That's what my job is and I'll take full responsibility for that."

Byron Mullens scored 27 points, Ramon Sessions had 20 and Ben Gordon added 19 for the Bobcats.

Washington fell to 0-11 despite the spark supplied by Nene, who energized the Wizards during most of his 29 minutes, but in the end, the Bobcats pulled out the win.

Martel Webster had 21 points for Washington and Nene scored 19. It was just the second game for Nene after he missed the first nine with a foot injury.

"I don't know how many games we lost. I just know there were a couple games we were supposed to win," Nene said.

Webster defended Nene.

"He wants to win. He's out here battling his butt off. He's got some issues, but for the team, for what our vision, for what our goal is, he goes out there and plays with heart, he wants to win."

Bradley Beal made a 3-pointer to draw Washington within 107-106 with 1.6 seconds to go. Kemba Walker made one of two free throws with 0.8 seconds to play, and Jordan Crawford missed a long heave at the buzzer.

The Bobcats appeared to have won the game in the first overtime, but Chris Singleton was fouled by Charlotte's Jeff Taylor as he attempted a 3-point attempt with 0.4 seconds to play. Singleton made the first, missed the second and converted on the third for a 99-all tie.

Nene returned to the game with just over four minutes left in regulation and Washington trailing 88-83. The Wizards scored the last six points of regulation to force the first overtime.

In its first 10 games, Washington lost by an average of seven points. The only game in which the Wizards were totally uncompetitive was their 16-point loss in Charlotte on Nov. 13. Three of their 11 losses have been in overtime.

NOTES: On Sept. 28, the Wizards announced that G John Wall would miss the first month of the regular season with a left knee injury. Wittman said that he won't hazard a guess on Wall's return. "I don't know where we're at. If I could give you a time, I would," Wittman said. "I have no idea. He has not practiced at all, so until that time comes, I don't know what the timetable's going to be." ... Washington F Trevor Booker missed his second straight game with a left knee injury. ... Charlotte G Gerald Henderson (sprained left foot) and F Tyrus Thomas (strained left calf) will continue to be out for "the foreseeable future," coach Dunlap said. ... Three Bobcats - Gordon, Taylor and F Michael Kidd-Gilchrist fouled out. ... According to STATS LLC., this was Charlotte's first double-overtime game since an Oct. 30, 2009, win over New York, and Washington's first since Mar. 23, 2011, when it lost to the Clippers in Los Angeles.

Notebook: Bobcats 108, Wizards 106

Rich Dubroff, for NBA.com
Posted Sun Nov 25, 2012 12:17 AM - Updated Sun Nov 25, 2012 12:17 AM

THE FACTS: Byron Mullens scored 27 points, Ramon Sessions had 21 and Ben Gordon chipped in with 19 as the Charlotte Bobcats beat the Washington Wizards 108-106 in a double overtime win on Saturday night.

Reggie Williams hit a 3-pointer with 1:18 to play in double overtime to give the Bobcats a 104-103 lead. Charlotte is now 7-5. Last season, the Bobcats had a 7-59 record, the lowest percentage in NBA history. Washington is now 0-11.

The Wizards were led by Martell Webster's 21 points and Nene's 19.

QUOTABLE: "I said if we have to take a third overtime, and you don't like this moment, sub yourselves out because I love it personally,"

-- Bobcats coach Mike Dunlap

THE STAT: The Wizards are the 12th team to start the season 0-11 according to STATS LLC. The 2009-10 New Jersey Nets have the all-time worst start, 0-18.

TURNING POINT: Williams' 3-pointer was the only field goal he made. He was playing only because Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Jeff Taylor and Gordon had fouled out.

QUOTABLE II: "I'm not pointing a finger at my players. Obviously, it lies with me, I know it lies with me and I need to figure a way out to get this righted. That's what my job is and I'll take full responsibility for that."

-- Wizards coach Randy Wittman

HOT: Nene was 8-for-13 in the field in 29 minutes. It was just his second game back after missing nine games with a foot injury.

NOT: Kemba Walker was just 3-for-17 from the field, but hit three free throws in the second overtime.

GOOD MOVE: Dunlap playing Mullens nearly 46 minutes, 13 more than he's been averaging.

BAD MOVE: Wittman had intended to limit Nene to 20 minutes because of his sore left foot. He played 29 minutes, and it won't be a surprise if it has to sit out a game or two.

NOTABLE: The Wizards have lost their 11 games by a total of 72 points, an average of just over 6.5 a game.

IN THE ARENA: A fan held a sign up that read: "All I want 4 Christmas is a win." The 0-11 Wizards have 14 games between now and Dec. 25.

NEXT: For the Bobcats, Monday @ Oklahoma City, Wednesday @ Atlanta, Friday vs. Philadelphia. For the Wizards, Monday vs. San Antonio, Wednesday vs. Portland, Friday @ New York.

• Bobcats: Henderson, Thomas
• Wizards: Booker, Wall

• Bobcats: Gordon
• Wizards: --

• Lead Changes: 24
• Times Tied: 18

• Arena: Verizon Center, Washington, DC
• Officials: #34 Kevin Cutler, #35 Kane Fitzgerald, #48 Scott Foster
• Attendance: 13077
• Duration: 3:11