NBA Game Summary - New Orleans/Oklahoma City at Washington

01.20.2006

Washington, DC (Basketball News) - Gilbert Arenas poured in 33 points to lead the Washington Wizards past the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets, 110-99, at the MCI Center.

Caron Butler added 24 points and Antawn Jamison had 20 points, 11 rebounds and six assists for the Wizards, who have won five of their past six games.

Chris Paul continued his strong rookie campaign with 28 points, 11 assists and six boards while David West added 17 points and seven rebounds for the Hornets, who had a four-game winning streak halted.

New Orleans/Oklahoma City was looking to win five straight games for the first time since the close of the 2002-03 season.

The Hornets opened up a 10-4 lead early in the first quarter, but Washington used a 10-2 run to take the lead for good after Arenas hit a jumper with under six minutes left. The Wizards then ended the quarter on an 11-2 spurt and had a 32-21 lead going into the second.

Washington continued to enjoy a double-digit lead throughout much of the second quarter, but trailing 47-34, New Orleans/Oklahoma City used a 13-2 run and made it a 49-47 game after Paul nailed a trey with 2:47 left until the half. The Wizards eventually had a 58-54 lead at the break.

In the third quarter, Washington began with a 15-6 spurt and had a 73-60 lead after Jared Jeffries nailed a three-pointer with 6:14 remaining.

The Wizards led by as many as 14 points in the third, but the Hornets chipped away a bit and trailed 84-74 going into the final 12 minutes.

New Orleans/Oklahoma city got within six points after Paul put in two from the charity stripe to make it 90-84 with under nine minutes to play. However, Washington used a game-clinching 12-2 run and had a commanding 102-86 lead after Arenas nailed a three-pointer with 5:58 remaining.

Washington center Etan Thomas was on the inactive list for the game due to attending the funeral of his grandmother...The Hornets continue their three- game road trip at New York on Saturday...Washington hosts Memphis on Sunday...The Hornets have lost five of their last six games at Washington...The Wizards hit 52 percent of their shots and the Hornets connected on 49 percent of their shots.

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