Bobcats snap Wizards' 3-game win streak 119-114

[March 19, 2013]  CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- Gerald Henderson had 27 points, Kemba Walker came up big late and the Charlotte Bobcats defeated Washington 119-114 Monday night to snap the Wizards' three-game win streak.

Walker scored nine of his 18 points in the final three minutes to spark a 12-0 run, lifting the Bobcats to only their second win in their last 14 games.

Walker shot 8 of 14 from the field and had seven assists.

Henderson, who came in averaging 22.5 points over his previous five games, was 8 of 16 from the field and 10 of 11 on free throws. He also tied a career high with eight assists.

Ben Gordon had 19 points and Josh McRoberts added 17 for Charlotte.

John Wall scored 25 points and Nene added 21 for the Wizards, who lost three of four games this season to the NBA-worst Bobcats. Emeka Okafor and Garrett Temple each had 17 points.

The Wizards appeared ready to finish off the Bobcats after taking a 111-106 lead with 3:14 left on a Trevor Booker alley-oop dunk off a perfect pass from Wall.

But that's when Walker took over.

Walker then converted a 12-footer to put the Bobcats up 113-115.

Wall was called for a charge on Washington's next possession and Walker hit a driving layup at the other end. After a steal by Walker, Henderson knocked down a 3-pointer from the right wing to cap a 12-0 run and give the Bobcats a 118-111 lead.

Martell Webster's 3-pointer cut the lead to four but Wall fouled out with 28 seconds left and the Bobcats held on to win.

The Bobcats tied a season high with 63 first-half points, but led by only four at the break.

The Wizards shot 63 percent in the first half, scoring 30 points from inside the paint. Led by Nene's 6-of-8 shooting, the Wizards starters were a combined 19 of 27 from the field before the break.

The Wizards are now 18-15 with Wall in the lineup after going 23-42 without him.

Wall was named the NBA player of the week before the game after averaging 24 points and 11 rebounds per contest while shooting 61.7 percent in the previous four games.

The Bobcats trailed by one late in the third quarter when Henderson gave his team a huge emotional lift by shifting over on help defense and leaping to stuff Booker with a one-handed block.

That started a fast break 3-pointer by Gordon.

Henderson added a dunk on the next possession and Gordon made a transition laSyup to build the lead to six heading into the fourth quarter.

[Associated Press; By STEVE REED]

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.