Washington Wizards Team Report - January 14

(Basketball News) - The Washington Wizards start a two-game road trip tonight in new Jersey against the Nets at Continental Airlines Arena.

Washington comes into tonight’s tilt on a losing note after dropping a 93-80 decision to the Houston Rockets on Tuesday. Larry Hughes netted a game-high 23 points for the Wizards, who have dropped five of their past six contests.

Kwame Brown and Jarvis Hayes each chipped in 13 points in the setback, as Washington dropped its 10th game in 12 tries and went their 18th consecutive game without reaching 100 points.

Prior to the contest forward Christian Laettner was suspended five games for violating the National Basketball Association’s anti-drug policy. He served the first game of the suspension last night and is eligible to return on January 23 against the Boston Celtics.

The league would not comment on what illegal substance was involved.

The Wizards, who will be starting a brief two-game road trip tonight, have dropped eight in a row on the road and are 4-16 away from home this season.

New Jersey has defeated Washington twice already this season and has won eight of the last nine matchups. The Wizards have also dropped seven in a row and nine of their last 10 in the Garden State.