Wallace, Bobcats crush Wizards

Walter Herrmann added 21 points, Emeka Okafor had 17 points and 13 rebounds, and Raymond Felton finished with 17 points and 14 assists for the Bobcats, who have won three of their last four games.

"All around on the offensive end, that was as good a game as we played," said Wallace. "We know in our minds we are a good team when we have everyone healthy."

Gilbert Arenas scored 33 points and Etan Thomas had a career-high 17 points and 14 boards for the Wizards, who lost five of their last seven games and now trail the Miami Heat by a 1/2 game in the Southeast Division. DeShawn Stevenson donated 17 points and Darius Songalia 16 for Washington, which played its first game without Caron Butler.

Butler who made the All-Star team and is averaging a career-high 19.1 points and 7.4 rebounds, broke his right hand in Sunday’s win over Milwaukee. He is expected to miss the rest of the season.

Trailing 13-11, Washington went on an 11-0 run, capped by an Okafor dunk putting the Bobcats ahead for good, 22-13, midway through the first quarter.

A Wallace layup sparked an 8-0 spurt midway through the second frame and pushed Charlotte’s lead to 52-39.

The Bobcats. who continued to extend their lead the rest of the quarter, took a 63-45 advantage into the locker room.

The Wizards failed to make up any ground in the third, thanks to lackluster defense. Washington trailed 97-78 after three quarters and never threatened in the fourth.

"It sure wasn’t there," said Washington coach Eddie Jordan referring to his teams effort. "We never really had an answer for Wallace. They shot a high percentage. I’m very disappointed with the way we played."

Charlotte shot 57 percent and scored 64 points in the paint.

Game Notes

These two meet again Wednesday in Washington...Antawn Jamison pulled down 11 boards but scored just six points on 3-of 16 shooting...Charlotte committed only nine turnovers...Charlotte’s Derek Anderson did not play due to continued pain in his right knee. He is expected to return Friday...Charlotte is now 19-19 at home...The all-time series between these two teams is 9-2 in favor of Washington.