Bobcats 98, Wizards 85
Al Jefferson collected 26 points and 10 rebounds as Charlotte pulled away late to down host Washington.
Kemba Walker scored 16 points and Gerald Henderson (calf) returned from a five-game absence and chipped in 13 points in 27 minutes for the Bobcats. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist recorded 10 points and 12 rebounds as Charlotte posted its second straight win.
John Wall scored 23 points and Bradley Beal added 18 as the Wizards suffered back-to-back losses. Marcin Gortat posted 12 points and 10 rebounds for Washington.
Jefferson and McRoberts split an 8-1 run that gave the Bobcats an 83-78 lead with 5:17 to play. Gortat responded with a fadeaway jumper but Walker was fouled on a 3-pointer and Wizards coach Randy Wittman was hit with a technical on the play, leading to four straight free throws from Walker before his 3-pointer made it a 90-80 gap as Charlotte put it away.
The Bobcats held a 48-46 lead at the break and closed the third quarter on an 11-5 run to take a three-point lead into the fourth. Washington took a 77-75 lead when Al Harrington hit a 3-pointer with 8:30 remaining but McRoberts responded from beyond the arc and the Wizards never led again.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Charlotte G Gary Neal did not play due to what the team called “an internal team matter.” … Jefferson went over 20 points for the seventh time in the last eight games. … The Bobcats struggled to 5-of-18 from beyond the arc.