In a close race for a playoff spot, the Charlotte Bobcats needed a victory, and what could be better than facing the woebegone Washington Wizards?
Not so fast. Charlotte wasted a 20-point lead, fell behind by eight midway through the fourth quarter, Gerald Wallace missed a free throw that would have tied the game with 6.5 seconds left, and the Wizards beat the Bobcats 95-93 last night.
Wallace led Charlotte with 21 points and 11 rebounds, and his layup while getting fouled cut Charlotte's deficit to 94-93.
But he failed to complete a three-point play, and Emeka Okafor and Boris Diaw grabbed offensive rebounds but missed both tries.
Washington's Antawn Jamison finally grabbed the ball, controlled it and was fouled. He made 1-of-2 at the line and finished with 27 points. Nick Young, one of only three Wizards reserves, added 23 points.
The biggest key to the outcome: Charlotte went only 19 for 30 at the foul line and there were some costly misses.
Washington came in with an NBA-high 56 losses, having dropped five consecutive games and 12 of its past 14.
Here's what's at stake for the Wizards: Every defeat improves their odds of landing the top pick in June's draft; every victory improves their odds of avoiding the worst record in franchise history.
The Bobcats are eyeing much more meaningful goals: The most wins and first postseason appearance in franchise history. Charlotte entered the day two games behind Chicago for the eighth and final postseason spot in the Eastern Conference, and a half-game ahead of Milwaukee.
CHARLOTTE -- Wallace 8-16 5-9 21, Diaw 5-8 1-2 11, Okafor 6-9 3-6 15, Felton 4-11 6-8 14, Bell 3-12 2-2 8, Radmanovic 4-10 0-0 9, Augustin 5-7 2-3 15, Diop 0-0 0-0 0, Martin 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 35-75 19-30 93.
WASHINGTON -- McGuire 1-6 2-2 4, Jamison 11-22 3-6 27, Blatche 6-15 3-3 15, James 6-13 0-0 15, Crittenton 4-9 0-0 8, McGee 1-3 1-2 3, Young 10-15 2-2 23, Pecherov 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 39-84 11-15 95.
Charlotte 29 28 14 22 -- 93
Washington 24 26 23 22 -- 95
3-Point Goals--Charlotte 4-18 (Augustin 3-4, Radmanovic 1-5, Martin 0-1, Wallace 0-2, Bell 0-3, Felton 0-3), Washington 6-14 (James 3-5, Jamison 2-6, Young 1-2, Pecherov 0-1). Fouled Out--McGuire. Rebounds--Charlotte 53 (Wallace 11), Washington 47 (Jamison 8). Assists--Charlotte 24 (Felton 8), Washington 18 (James 5). Total Fouls--Charlotte 17, Washington 25. A--14,657 (20,173).
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