 Baron Davis caught fire late to show the Wiz a little hocus-pocus of his own. Mitchell Layton/NBAE/Getty Images 56k | 300k |
The losing streak is the longest of Jordan's career. The Wizards have won just their of two of their first 10 games. Only Jordan's former team, the Chicago Bulls, have a worst record in the Eastern Conference.
"It's disappointing more than frustrating," Jordan said of the losing streak. "Obviously, I believe in the team and will continue to do that. We made some improvements since day one, but not nearly where we should be."
Mashburn was placed on the injured list and did not travel to Washington after pulling his groin in practice Monday. Wesley was scratched before the game with a sore foot and is listed as day-to-day.
But Baron Davis scored 16 of his 32 points in the fourth quarter, including a 3-pointer that gave the Hornets an 81-66 lead with 6:03 to play. Charlotte is 4-0 this season when Davis is its leading scorer.
"There was a lot of reason for concern going into this game with Jamal and David both out because I didn't know how we were going to score," Charlotte coach Paul Silas said. "The guys stepped up big. Lee (Nailon) stepped up big and Baron was sensational."
Jordan scored 30 points on 13-of-23 shooting but continues to receive little help from his teammates. He came into Tuesday's game averaging an NBA-high 25.4 shots per game.
"We have to be strong through these moments and not point fingers at other people," Jordan said. "Everyone has a job to do and we have to collectively do our job."
Jordan has scored 30 or more points in five of his last six games, but Richard Hamilton is Washington's only other player averaging double figures. Hamilton was held to 10 points Tuesday.
Washington's Hubert Davis added 18 points, making three 3-pointers in the final three minutes to keep it close.
"They put us on our heels and we're such a fragile team right now that the minute a few things go against us, we just can't fight through it," Washington coach Doug Collins said. "I don't know what that is."
Trailing 40-38 following a sluggish first half, the Hornets took control in the third quarter. Baron Davis' dunk capped a 12-4 run that gave Charlotte a 66-56 lead with 1:47 left in the third period.
"We started shaky," Davis said. "We didn't make shots. We gave up easy layups. Then we started to play hard and with energy. We started yelling at each other."
The Hornets opened the fourth period with a 7-1 spurt, grabbing a 73-60 lead on Bryce Drew's backcourt steal and breakaway layup with 9:27 to go.
Charlotte shot only 41 percent (34-of-83) from the field but scored 26 points off 20 Washington turnovers.
"It (the fourth-quarter defense) was tremendous," Baron Davis said. "Everyone was helping, blocking shots and helping on defense. That is what we need to win games. If we had played with that type of energy from the New York game, we would have a much better record."
Nailon contributed a career-high 18 points and Elden Campbell added 15 for the Hornets, who have split their first 10 outings.
"We got some capable guys," Campbell said. "It's just a matter of getting in there and letting them produce. We got some guys who stepped off the bench and played some quality minutes."
Jordan tallied 18 points in the first half but was held to just four in the third period, when the Hornets grabbed the lead for good.
"I thought they key was when I changed P.J. (Brown) off Mike and put Stacey (Augmon) on him and he did a very good job," Silas said. "I felt Michael was getting too many good looks and Stacey could play off him with his really long arms and still contest his shot."