Sessions scores 21 as Bobcats beat Wizards 92-76

[November 14, 2012]  CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- Reserve Ramon Sessions scored 21 points and the Charlotte Bobcats beat the winless Washington Wizards 92-76 Tuesday night to win back-to-back games for the first time since last December.

With Ben Gordon out due to a family emergency, Sessions picked up the slack and provided a much-needed boost for the Bobcats.

Coming off a career-high 25 points against Dallas on Saturday night, rookie Michael Kidd-Gilchrist was strong again, chipping in with 15 points and eight rebounds before leaving in the fourth quarter to ice down a sore back. Kemba Walker battled inconsistent shooting but finished with 17 points for the Bobcats (3-3).

It marked the first time the Bobcats have won two straight since taking the final game of the 2010-11 season and the first of last season.

Trevor Ariza scored 19 points for the Wizards, who fell to 0-6. He was the only Washington player to finish in double digits in scoring.

The Bobcats (3-3) limited the Wizards to 29.8 percent shooting and outscored them 46-24 in the paint.

Washington, still playing without John Wall and Nene, could never get closer than seven points in the second half after trailing by 13 at halftime. The Wizards connected on just 5 of 31 3-point attempts and had no flow on offense.

The Bobcats took a 52-39 lead into halftime after outscoring the Wizards 30-12 in the paint.

Most of those came on drives by Kidd-Gilchrist and Sessions.

Kidd-Gilchrist picked up where he left off Saturday night, driving aggressively to the hole. The No. 2 pick in the draft had 12 points at halftime on 5-of-8 shooting to go with five rebounds. Sessions had 11 points at the break.

It helped that the Wizards struggled from the field, shooting just 34 percent in the first half.

Charlotte's aggressive defense gave the Wizards fits. Washington turned the ball over 17 times, leading to 19 Bobcats points.

Charlotte also dominated inside as Brendan Haywood had a solid eight points and 11 rebounds, while reserve Tyrus Thomas chipped in with 10 points and six rebounds.

The Bobcats won just seven games all of last season. It took them 13 games to win three games last season but they went on to lose 16 straight after that as the season turned sour in a hurry.

This year's Bobcats are playing with hustle and appeared more confident after beating Dallas on Saturday night, snapping a 16-game losing streak against the Mavericks.

[Associated Press; By STEVE REED]

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