Washington Wizards Team Report - February 15

(Basketball News) - The Wizards lost their second consecutive contest on Monday night, as they fell 98-96 to the New Orleans Hornets at the New Orleans Arena.

Gilbert Arenas led the way for Washington with 34 points and Antawn Jamison added 30 and 12 rebounds in the losing effort. Arenas has scored 30 or more points 15 times this season, while Jamison has 20 double-doubles this season.

Arenas and Jamison are headed to the All-Star game this weekend as reserves. Arenas is posting 25.1 points (8th-NBA) and 1.94 steals (6th) per contest, while Jamison is tallying 20.1 points and 8.1 rebounds per game.

The Wizards lost for the second time in a row after winning four straight. Juan Dixon had eight points in the loss.

The Wizards shot 42.7 percent from the field, including only 5-of-22 (.227) from three-point range. Washington hit 21-of-24 (.875) from the free throw line.

Washington actually outrebounded the Hornets, 48-34, but it hurt itself by allowing them to shoot 47.6 percent from the field. The Wizards also committed 15 turnovers in the defeat.

The Wizards have lost four consecutive road tilts to slip to 10-14 in foreign buildings this season. Washington is in the midst of a three-game road swing.

Earlier in the day, Washington placed forward Samaki Walker on the injured list with a lower back strain and activated center Peter-John Ramos.

Washington remains second in the Southeast and fourth in the East, eight games behind Miami. The Wizards (30-21) are in a virtual tie with Cleveland (29-20) for the fourth slot.

Washington will try to get back on the winning track when it closes out its current three-game road trip in Houston tonight. The Wizards will then have seven straight days off for the All-Star break.