(Sports Network) - A pair of the NBA's worst teams will square off in the Big
Easy on Thursday when the Washington Wizards pay a visit to the New Orleans
Hornets.
The Wizards have dropped six in a row away from home and sport just a 3-16
mark outside the nation's capital while the Hornets have lost three straight
in NOLA and are 4-18 on the year as the host. Something has to give tonight.
The Hornets were very competitive on Wednesday but came up on the short end of
a 107-101 overtime against the Lakers.
Jarrett Jack scored a season-high 30 points with six assists for New Orleans,
which lead by as many as 17 points before faltering and has now dropped 10 of
their last 13 games overall.
"We fought so I can't really complain," Jack said about the loss. "My guys
gave everything that they had."
Chris Kaman had 21 points and 12 rebounds, but failed to connect on the go-
ahead jumper late in regulation, forcing overtime.
"The losses just drive you nuts," coach Monty Williams told the Hornets'
website. "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."
Washington, meanwhile, lost its third consecutive contest on Tuesday in
Dallas, a 107-98 setback to the Mavs.
Trevor Booker led a balanced attack with 20 points and 12 rebounds for the
Wizards, who are 0-2 on a six-game road trip that will also include visits to
Atlanta, Memphis and New Jersey.
"We've just got to keep fighting like that, and keep improving," Wizards
interim coach Randy Wittman told the team's website. "Making steps in the
improvement defensively we need to make."
John Wall added 18 points and dished out 10 assists and Jordan Crawford
tallied 15 points in Dallas.
"I think we competed tonight, we just gave up too many easy baskets at times
and turned the ball over," said Wall.
New Orleans has won two straight and five of its last six meetings with the
Wizards.
The Sports Network