Washington Wizards Team Report - January 27

(Basketball News) - The Washington Wizards found themselves on the wrong end of a 94-83 decision on Monday against the Portland Trail Blazers at the MCI Center.

Juan Dixon netted a career-high 30 points in defeat, as the Wizards fell for the second time in their last five contests. Brendan Haywood posted 12 points, while Kwame Brown and Brevin Knight added 11 and 10 points, respectively.

Brown pulled down 10 rebounds to go along with his point total.

Trailing 83-72 in the fourth quarter, Dixon and Steve Blake knocked down a pair of three-pointers, and Jarvis Hayes hit a foul line jumper to cut Washington’s deficit to 83-80 with 4:50 remaining.

The Wizards couldn’t close the three-point gap, though, and only mustered a free throw and layup by Haywood in the final 4 1/2 minutes of the contest.

Washington played the contest without the services of guard Larry Hughes, who missed the game because the discomfort related to tendinitis in his right knee became too severe.

The Wizards return to action on Wednesday when they welcome the Orlando Magic to town.