WASHINGTON, Oct. 24 (Ticker) -- Gilbert Arenas and Antawn Jamison made sure the Charlotte Bobcats would not post back-to-back preseason victories.

Arenas scored 20 points and offseason acquisition Jamison added 16 to lead a balanced scoring attack as the Washington Wizards defeated the Bobcats, 97-85.

NBA TV highlights from Bobcats-Wizards: 300k

An expansion team, Charlotte recorded its first preseason win with a 69-63 triumph over Portland on Friday.

In this one, the Bobcats rallied from a 17-point second-quarter deficit to pull within 74-70 just over a minute into the final period. But the Wizards countered with a 20-9 run, which Juan Dixon ended with a three-point play with 3:36 left.

Larry Hughes scored 15 points, Dixon added 13 and Jarvis Hayes 10 for Washington, which took advantage of Emeka Okafor's absence to outscore Charlotte in the paint, 38-20.

Bobcats coach Bernie Bickerstaff, a former Wizards coach, elected not to play Okafor, the second overall pick and a member of the U.S. Olympic team. No reason was given.

Reserve Eddie House scored 20 points and Jason Kapono 19 to pace Charlotte.