WASHINGTON _ The Charlotte Hornets beat themselves Wednesday.
The Hornets average the second-fewest turnovers in the NBA at 11.8 per game. Being low-foul and low-turnover is essential to a team with a small margin for error. Wednesday against the Washington Wizards, the Hornets broke with that formula and paid for it, committing 18 turnovers in a 109-106 loss at Verizon Center.
The Hornets had a chance to force overtime, down three with possession with 9.6 seconds remaining. Nic Batum and Kemba Walker both missed 3-pointers in that last possession.
The Hornets are now 0-3 on this five-game road trip and face tough matchups with the Boston Celtics and Atlanta Hawks on back-to-back nights. The Hornets fell to 14-12.
Batum led the Hornets in scoring with 20 points to go along with eight assists. Marco Bellinelli added 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting. Kemba Walker scored 17.
Point guard John Wall led the Wizards with 25 points and 10 assists. Five other Wizards reached double-figure soring.
