Wizards at Hornets
THE STORY: Two of the worst teams in the NBA square off when the New Orleans Hornets host the Washington Wizards. Washington has the second-worst record in the league and has lost the first two games of a six-game road trip. The Wizards are just 3-16 on the road and have lost their last six. New Orleans has the third-worst mark in the league and lost in overtime to the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday. The Hornets are just 4-18 at home.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, Comcast SportsNet (Washington), Cox Sports (New Orleans)
ABOUT THE WIZARDS (9-32): Second-year forward Trevor Booker has been playing solidly since the All-Star break. Booker matched his season high with 20 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in Tuesday’s loss to the Dallas Mavericks and is averaging 13.5 points and 9.5 rebounds over the past eight games. Booker has grabbed 10 or more rebounds five times since the break after having just two double-digit games on the boards prior to the All-Star festivities. Booker is averaging 8.5 points and 6.2 rebounds.
ABOUT THE HORNETS (10-33): New Orleans gave the Los Angeles Lakers quite a fight Wednesday before falling in overtime for its sixth loss in seven games. Guard Jarrett Jack scored a season-high 30 points to become the first New Orleans player to score 30 this season and center Chris Kaman had 21 points and 12 rebounds. The Hornets let a 15-point, second-half lead slip away. “The losses just drive you nuts,” Hornets coach Monty Williams said. “I was listening to somebody talking about winning. It’s good, but it’s not as bad as losing. The losing just makes you over-analyze at times or makes you really emotional.”
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Washington has a 10-27 road mark against the Hornets.
2. Jack is averaging 20.8 points over the last five contests.
3. Wizards guard Nick Young averaged 27 points in two games against New Orleans last season.