QUARTER-BY-QUARTER ANALYSIS
First quarter: The Bobcats opened with only nine players in uniform as Emeka Okafor (right thigh contusion), Primoz Brezec (right ankle sprain) and Bernard Robinson (left foot pain) all were out with injuries. The teams traded the lead in the early minutes before Washington coach Eddie Jordan called a timeout with the score tied 6-6. The Wizards responded with an 8-2 run fueled by Larry Hughes to take a 14-8 advantage. Washington maintained the lead throughout the quarter, extending it to eight at 26-18 with 2:58 remaining. The Bobcats rallied late and were able to pull within 29-24 heading to the second. Hughes and Gilbert Arenas each had seven first-quarter points for the Wizards. Brevin Knight had eight points and five assists for Charlotte.

Second quarter: Matt Carroll came off the bench firing for Charlotte, scoring five points in a 9-4 run to open the second quarter that tied the game at 33-33. After Washington grabbed the lead back at 38-35 on a Larry Hughes three-pointer, Carroll assisted Jason Hart on a layup and then connected on a three-pointer to give the Bobcats a 40-38 lead. The Wizards battled back to tie the contest at 43-43, the first of four ties over a two-minute span. Charlotte closed the half on an 8-2 run as Keith Bogans hit a pair of layups off assists from Jason Kapono and took a 57-51 lead into the break. Hughes had 14 points at the half. Knight led Charlotte with 11 points and seven assists. Carroll had 10 points in the quarter.

Third quarter: Bogans and Kapono continued to excel early in the third quarter as the Bobcats built their lead to 10 points. The Wizards, however, were not finished. Arenas hit a three-pointer, Hughes scored off a steal and assist by Arenas and then Antawn Jamison knocked down another three-pointer and Washington was within 67-65 with 4:41 to go. Charlotte fought off the Wizards run for the next several minutes before Jamison finally tied the game at 73-73 on a driving layup with 1:03 on the clock. Jason Hart connected on the Bobcats next possession and Charlotte took a 75-73 lead to the fourth.

Fourth quarter: Etan Thomas scored the first basket of the quarter to tie the game at 75-75, but it was all Bobcats for the next three-plus minutes as Charlotte went on a 13-2 run sparked by Carroll to grab an 88-77 lead with 8:07 to go. The Bobcats continued to lead by 11 moments later when the Wizards jumped right back into the game with an 11-2 run started by a three-pointer by Hughes and finished with a three-pointer by Arenas. Charlotte fought off the Washington rally for several minutes before Arenas and Juan Dixon each connected on a pair of free throws to give the Wizards a 99-98 lead with 3:05 to go. The Bobcats didn't give in, however, as Kapono hit a reverse layup and added two free throws for a 102-99 lead. After Arenas hit the second of two free throw attempts, Bogans scored on a running jumper to give Charlotte a 104-100 lead with 1:34 remaining. On the Bobcats next possession, Hughes stole a pass from Knight and drove the court for a dunk to cut the lead in half. After Charlotte's next two possessions didn't result in baskets, Arenas tied the game with a driving layup, but missed a free throw that would have given Washington the lead with 27 seconds left. Knight missed a short jumper with six seconds left that would have given the Bobcats the lead and Hughes grabbed the rebound and raced upcourt, passing the ball off to Jamison for the game-winning layup with 1.3 seconds remaining. Charlotte's final five possessions resulted in two turnovers and three missed field goals.

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GM & HEAD COACH BERNIE BICKERSTAFF SAYS...
(on the game) The Wizards made shots at the end of the game. We had three or four possessions where they came up with steals and that is what they do. Matt (Carroll) shot the ball well. We were 18 for 19 from the free throw line, which is remarkable for us. We had control of the basketball and we didn’t get shots. On the last play for us, Brevin (Knight) got by his guy with a nice move and I don’t know what happened on that.

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INSIDE THE LOCKER ROOM

KEITH BOGANS
(on the game) They made some tough plays down the stretch. There were some close calls but that has happened to us all year, but we still try to play through it. We just wanted to come out and play those guys tough. We are not going to the Playoffs but we are still going to play everybody tough. Even though we had five guys on the floor and only four guys on the bench it shows you what type of team we are.

(on six players scoring in double figures) We have been doing that all year. I think it all starts with Brevin, he is a key on our team. He initiates the offense, he gets the ball moving, and once he starts it, it becomes contagious.

MATT CARROLL
(on his career-high 22 points) I got some very good open looks today and was able to get to the free-throw line and hit my free throws. I like playing at this arena. Before I got to the NBA, I was 6-0 in the MCI Center (in college).

(on another close loss) It's tough to swallow because you try so hard to win a game and you think you have it with a minute to go. One thing it's taught us is the game is never over until there's no time on the clock. Our goal was to knock a couple teams off in the playoff run and we came close.