Graham, Hornets survive big night from Wizards’ Bertans

Devonte-Graham-Charlotte-Hornets

Charlotte Hornets guard Devonte' Graham, left, looks for room to drive against Washington Wizards guard Chris Chiozza in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019. (Nell Redmond/AP)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Devonte Graham scored 29 points, Miles Bridges hit a big 3-pointer with 7.7 seconds left and the Charlotte Hornets beat the Washington Wizards 114-107 on Tuesday night in a game that featured 20 lead changes.

Terry Rozier scored 17 points, Bridges had 16, P.J. Washington added 15 and Cody Zeller and Bismack Biyombo both had double-doubles as Charlotte wrapped up a five-game homestand with a 2-3 record.

David Bertans scored a career-high 32 points and made eight 3-pointers for Washington. Rui Hachimura added 18 points and 12 rebounds for the Wizards, who have lost six of seven.

Bradley Beal had 16 points but was 0 for 7 from 3-point range.

With the Hornets leading by one, Graham drove the left side of the lane, scored on a left-handed scoop layup and drew the foul for a three-point play with 1:34 left. Rozier added one of two free throws before Bertans made a 3 from the wing to cut Charlotte’s lead to 109-107 with 31.4 seconds left.

With the Wizards pressing up on the ball, Bridges was left alone in the corner for a 3 that he swished to make it a two-possession game and essentially seal Washington’s fate.

The Hornets led by seven entering the fourth quarter, but Bertans brought his team back by hitting a fall-away jumper and then completing a four-point play after getting fouled on a 3 from the top of the key. Chris Chiozza then knocked down another 3 to give the Wizards the lead, the first of several lead changes down the stretch.

TIP-INS

Wizards: As if the they don’t have enough injuries, starting guard Isaac Bonga left the game in the second quarter after hitting the back of his head on the floor after getting off-balance while driving to the basket. The Wizards were already without John Wall, Thomas Bryant, Jordan McRae, Isaiah Thomas and CJ Miles. … Beal picked up a technical foul in the final seconds of the first half for arguing that he got fouled on a coast-to-coast dunk.

Hornets: Marvin Williams sat out his second straight game with knee soreness. … The Hornets let a 15-point lead in the first quarter slip away after opening the second 1 of 11 from the field. … The Hornets held the Wizards to 48 points in the first half, their fewest allowed in the opening half this season.

UP NEXT

Wizards: Visit the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday night.

Hornets: Begin a three-game trip Wednesday night at Brooklyn.

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