New Orleans (24-23) at Washington (22-25)
Currently: - Game info: 7:00 pm EST Sat Feb 1, 2003
- TV: CSMA
WASHINGTON (TICKER) —Two teams that are plummeting in the Eastern Conference playoff picture meet on Saturday when the Washington Wizards host the New Orleans Hornets at the MCI Center.
The Wizards have been over .500 three times in the past month but have struggled of late, losing five of their last six games. They are three games under .500 for the first time since December 31 and have fallen into ninth place in the Eastern Conference.
The Hornets won 18 of its first 28 games in their inaugural season in New Orleans, but have lost 13 of their last 19. They are trying to avoid falling to .500 for the first time since January 15.
The Hornets have dropped three of their last four games, including an 89-72 road loss to the New Jersey Nets on Friday.
Jamal Mashburn scored 17 points and David Wesley added 12 for New Orleans, which shot just 33 percent from the floor en route to a season low in points.
The Hornets played without center Elden Campbell, who missed his second straight game with a strained neck.
The Wizards have won just once in their last six games and were handed a 97-90 loss by the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday.
Michael Jordan scored 24 points and Kwame Brown tied his career high with 20 for Washington, which lost leading scorer to Jerry Stackhouse to a strained left groin in the third quarter.
Stackhouse managed just five points on 2-of-13 shooting before suffering the injury. He will sit out until after the All-Star break.
New Orleans posted a 103-94 home victory over Washington on January 22 and has won four of the last five meetings between the teams.
Team Comparison
| Team | Record | Standings | PF | PA | Road/Home | Streak | L10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans | 47-35 | 3rd Southwest / 5th West | Road 18-23 | Won 5 | 7-3 | ||
| Washington | 37-45 | 5th Southeast / 9th East | Home 23-18 | Lost 3 | 3-7 |
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