Buzzer-beater stuns Hornets

(AP) – DeShawn Stevenson drained a fade-away 3-pointer at the buzzer and the Washington Wizards beat New Orleans 95-92 on Monday night, sending the Hornets to their third straight loss.

Stevenson’s buzzer beater capped a career night for the Wizards guard as he scored 33 points. Roger Mason scored 12 points off the bench, as did Brendan Haywood, while Antawn Jamison and Antonio Daniels added in 10 apiece.

Chris Paul scored 22 to lead the Hornets in the loss. Morris Peterson scored more points Monday than he had in his previous four games combined, getting 18, including 11 in the first quarter.

Hilton Armstrong missed two free throws with 7.3 seconds left, but a lane violation by Jamison gave Armstrong a third chance and he hit the free throw to tie it at 92.

Stevenson then raced down the court to hit the winning shot right in front of the Washington bench as time expired.

Notes:@ Washington F Caron Butler missed his ninth consecutive game with a strained left hip flexor and didn’t make the trip. The Wizards are 9-34 without Butler in the lineup since the 2005-06 season. … Hornets G Jannero Pargo hit a 3-pointer from halfcourt to end the third quarter. … Jamison displayed a measure of good will by inviting 20 children from the New Orleans area to Monday’s game. … Attendance in the New Orleans Arena was 11,289.