Where: Verizon Center, Washington, District of Columbia
Officials: #39 Kevin Fehr, #51 Leroy Richardson, #15 Bennett Salvatore
Attendance: 16026
Trevor Ariza broke out of a recent scoring slump with 22 points - 13 of them in the third quarter - as the visiting New Orleans Hornets rebounded from a sluggish first half to beat the Washington Wizards 92-81 on Saturday.
The Wizards led 47-37 with 1:24 left in the first half, but the Hornets scored the last five points of the first half and the first eight points of the second to regain the lead.
Washington kept it close for most of the third quarter, but the Hornets scored the last six points of the session and didn't trail again.
Ariza led the comeback effort, finishing 10-of-16 from the field, and Emeka Okafor added 17 points and 15 rebounds for the Hornets. Chris Paul had 13 points, 11 assists and seven steals.
After shooting 48 percent in the first half, the Wizards shot 27 percent after halftime.
Nick Young led the Wizards with 24 points, and rookie guard John Wall (12 points, 10 assists) and center JaVale McGee (12 points, 13 rebounds) had double-doubles.
Washington (8-24) has lost 16 of its past 19 games.
The Hornets (20-14) have won consecutive road games for the first time since winning at Houston on Nov. 3 and at Milwaukee on Nov. 6.
| New Orleans | Washington | |
| Trevor Ariza 22 | Scoring | Nick Young 24 |
| Chris Paul 11 | Assists | John Wall 10 |
| Emeka Okafor 15 | Rebounds | JaVale McGee 13 |
| Jarrett Jack 6 | Free Throws Made | Nick Young 5 |
| Chris Paul 7 | Steals | Andray Blatche 2 |
| David West 1 | Blocks | JaVale McGee 6 |
| Team | Points | FG% | 3PM-3PA | FTM-FTA | Assists | Rebounds | Blocks | Steals | Turnovers |
| New Orleans | 92 | 46.2 | 5-16 | 15-21 | 22 | 43 | 1 | 15 | 15 |
| Washington | 81 | 42.9 | 5-19 | 10-11 | 21 | 37 | 10 | 7 | 17 |
- Washington will play their next game on the road against Philadelphia. The Wizards have a W/L % of .000 after a win and .333 after a loss.
- New Orleans will play their next game at home against Philadelphia. The Hornets have a W/L % of .632 after a win and .533 after a loss.