Brand helps Clippers hand Wizards first loss of season

Washington, DC (Basketball News) - Elton Brand scored 31 points, 19 coming in the second half, and grabbed 13 rebounds as the Los Angeles Clippers handed the Washington Wizards their first loss of the season, 102-97, at the MCI Center.

Free-agent acquisition Cuttino Mobley added 15 points and dished out six assists, while Corey Maggette tallied 20 points off the bench in the victory.

The Clippers shot 50 percent from the floor and reached 100 points, both firsts against the Wizards this season. Brand shot 14-of-18 from the field.

Washington came into the game giving up a league-best 83.3 points per game and holding its opponents to a .348 shooting percentage.

Caron Butler scored 19 points off the bench, leading six Wizards in double figures. Gilbert Arenas added 18 points and 10 assists, and Brendan Haywood contributed 10 points and 10 rebounds in the loss.

The Wizards also got 16 points from Jarvis Hayes and 14 points from Etan Thomas, who had scored two points all season.

The Wizards only shot 37 percent from the floor, but collected 18 offensive rebounds to give them many second-chance opportunities.

Neither team led by more than seven points, and there were 12 ties and 17 lead changes in a back and forth game.

LAC WAS

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