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WASHINGTON (AP) - Nene made the go-ahead dunk with 0.9 seconds left and matched a season high with 30 points to propel the Washington Wizards past the New Orleans Pelicans, 94-93 on Saturday night.
Washington trailed 93-92 when Anthony Davis hit two free throws with seven seconds left. After a timeout, the Wizards inbounded to John Wall, who dribbled to the lane, drew the defense, and dished to a cutting Nene, who slammed the ball with his right hand. It was the 12th assist of the night for Wall.
The play spoiled a big performance by Davis, who had 26 points and 11 rebounds. Anthony Morrow added 18 points on 7-of-8 shooting.
But their efforts were trumped by Nene, who made 13 of 19 shots. With Wall and Beal, the Wizards' top two threats, combining for just 21 points, Washington turned to its frontcourt. Center Marcin Gortat contributed 16 points and 10 rebounds.
Andre Miller, acquired in a deadline deal on Thursday, made his Wizards' debut, scoring five points with three assists in 16 minutes.
It was an uncharacteristic start for Washington, as Wall and Beal failed to score in the first quarter. But the Wizards' other three starters compensated, hitting 11 of their first 13 shots as Washington took an early lead and held it for most of the half.
Rookie Jeff Withey sparked New Orleans late in the second quarter with an emphatic rejection of Gortat. The 7-footer followed with a slam to give the Pelicans their first lead since the opening minutes, 37-36, and set the scene for a see-saw battle the rest of the way.
Early in the third quarter, New Orleans went on a 9-0 run ignited by a 3-pointer by Eric Gordon and followed by three fast-break baskets, two of them by Davis. But Washington soon followed with a 15-2 spree, which included seven points by Nene and a 3-pointer by Martell Webster.
Down by eight, New Orleans scored 11 straight points in a run that bridged the quarters and was ignited by 3-pointers by reserve guards Tyreke Evans and Morrow.
NOTES: Al Harrington played for Washington for the first time in two months Following December knee surgery.
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