Washington Wizards Team Report - November 4

(Basketball News) - Washington got its season off to a quick start on Wednesday night, as it registered a 103-91 victory in Memphis.

Antawn Jamison poured in 34 points and grabbed eight rebounds to pace his new team to the victory. Jamison was acquired by the Wizards from Dallas in the offseason.

Juan Dixon added 28 points for the Wizards, who got off to good start on the road after finishing an NBA-worst 8-33 away from home last season. Washington won the game, despite dressing a league minimum eight players. Jarvis Hayes added 20 and nine rebounds.

Starting point guard Gilbert Arenas served a one-game suspension from the NBA after pleading no contest to a misdemeanor charge of failing to maintain proper handgun registration while he was living in California in 2003. The Wizards were also without guard Larry Hughes and center Brendan Haywood, who received suspensions for their participation during a fight in a preseason game against Chicago.

Arenas and Hughes are eligible to return tonight against expansion Charlotte, while Haywood will be able to come back next Tuesday versus Miami.

The Wizards trailed 52-44 at the intermission, but outscored Memphis 32-11 in the third quarter to take a 13-point advantage into the final 12 minutes and they cruised to the victory. In the quarter, Dixon drilled a three-pointer with 4:57 remaining to put his team ahead, 63-60, and Washington led the rest of the way.

In the fourth, Memphis got as close as eight, but never seriously threatened. The Wizards finished the game shooting 45 percent from the field, while hitting 26-of-35 (.743) at the free throw line.

Washington swept a pair of meetings with the Bobcats in the preseason, including a 126-125 double overtime win.