NBA Game Summary - Washington at Charlotte

Charlotte, NC (Basketball News) - Laron Profit’s putback of a Juan Dixon miss with 3.1 seconds remaining lifted the Washington Wizards over the Charlotte Bobcats, 86-84, at Charlotte Coliseum.

Brendan Haywood had a season-high 22 points, eight rebounds and four blocks for the Wizards, who won for just the third time in nine games. Gilbert Arenas added 21 points for Washington, which ended a six-game road slide.

Jason Hart had a career-high 20 points for the Bobcats, who couldn’t hold on down the stretch and fell for the third straight time. Hart scored 18 of his points in the final quarter, registering the final 16 points for Charlotte.

"We’re not getting down, but we need a break," said Hart. "Unfortunately that last rebound didn’t go our way. This one hurts."

With the game tied at 84-84 and the Bobcats with the ball, Hart ran the shot clock down but couldn’t get off a shot. He found Jason Kapono in the corner, but his shot with 29 second left in the game and two on the shot clock hit the side of the backboard. Gerald Wallace got the board only to have his putback attempt blocked by Haywood for a shot clock violation.

Washington then took over and Larry Hughes was the one with the ball as the clock ticked down. With 12 seconds left in the game and seven on the shot clock, Hughes took the ball to the basket and found Dixon for the shot from the corner.

Dixon, who was activated off the injured list prior to the game, missed his jumper, but Profit flew through the lane and tipped home the rebound for the winner with 3.1 remaining.

"When Juan went up for the shot I decided to just try to get a hand on it," said Profit. "Luckily it went in."

Keith Bogan’s halfcourt prayer missed as time expired and the Wizards escaped with the win despite losing one of its leading scorers to injury.

Washington’s Antawn Jamison left the game in the third quarter with an undisclosed injury. He ended with only two points on 1-of-5 shooting.

Hughes finished with 19 points, falling one short of his 13th straight 20- point performance. Kwame Brown tallied 16 points and 12 boards for the Wizards, who trailed 24-18 after one quarter and 44-37 going into halftime.

Kapono had 19 points and eight boards and Primoz Brezec had 16 points and seven rebounds for Charlotte, which held a 70-61 lead going into the fourth.

"Any win is important," said Washington head coach Eddie Jordan referring to the road victory. "Winning on the road is always big. I’m glad we got the monkey off our back. Hopefully we can keep on winning."