Wizards at Pelicans
The Washington Wizards opened up a three-game road trip with a victory in Charlotte and look to add another win to the tally when they visit the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday. Washington had lost three straight games prior to the 97-83 victory over the Bobcats and can move within one game of .500 if it slips past the Pelicans. New Orleans will be without leading scorer Ryan Anderson (back) indefinitely stemming from an injury in Boston last Friday.
The Pelicans figure to turn to second-year power forward Anthony Davis for more scoring punch and he had 22 points and 12 rebounds in Tuesday’s loss to the Miami Heat. It marked the third time in five games that Davis exceeded 20 points. Washington received solid outings from guard Bradley Beal (21 points) and center Marcin Gortat (18 points, 13 rebounds) in Tuesday’s victory. The Wizards have held the opponent under 90 points in three of the last six games.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, CSN Mid-Atlantic (Washington), FSN New Orleans
ABOUT THE WIZARDS (15-17): Washington is suddenly playing solid basketball on the road with five wins in the last six attempts. The victory over the Bobcats was particularly crucial as the first of a road excursion following a 0-3 homestand. “For some reason, when we hit the road we find the way to play the best way we need to play and find a way to win these games,” point guard John Wall said afterward. Wall is averaging 14 points over the last three games after scoring at least 20 in each of the previous eight contests.
ABOUT THE PELICANS (15-18): The loss of Anderson stings with New Orleans a bit shy in offensive weapons to begin with. The forward, who is averaging 19.8 points, was hurt in a nasty collision with Boston’s Gerald Wallace and spent four nights in the hospital. The team announced Tuesday that he has a herniated disk in his back. “Ryan was dynamic for us as far as knocking down threes and tough shots,” guard Eric Gordon told reporters. “He’s been good down the stretch for us. I think now we just have to keep on trying to find our identity and try to be more of a defensive team.”
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Washington went 2-0 against New Orleans last season and has won three consecutive meetings.
2. Pelicans C Jason Smith (shoulder) returned from a four-game absence and had eight points in 22 minutes against the Heat.
3. The double-double against the Bobcats was Gortat’s 11th of the season.