Arenas injures knee in loss to Bobcats

Gilbert Arenas’ knee bent the wrong way.

Arenas was in rebounding position when the Charlotte Bobcats’ Gerald Wallace drove baseline for a reverse layup in the first quarter before crashing inadvertently into his left leg.

Down went Arenas and perhaps the Washington Wizards’ playoff hopes.

Arenas’ sprained left knee rendered nearly everything else irrelevant in the Bobcats’ 108-100 victory over the Wizards on Wednesday night at Washington. Arenas will have an MRI exam today.

“I’m hoping that it wasn’t as bad as mine,” said forward Antawn Jamison, who missed 12 games this season because of a similar injury.

The Wizards have lost both of their All-Stars -- Caron Butler broke his hand Sunday -- in a four-day span, plus back-to-back games to the Bobcats.

Arenas, the Wizards’ leading scorer, had played less than two minutes after not starting for the first time this season for being late to the shoot-around.

Wallace had 27 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists for the Bobcats. Jamison had 25 points and 11 rebounds for the Wizards, who fell one game behind the idle Miami Heat in the Southeast Division.

Chicago 106, Detroit 88 -- Playing without Ben Wallace (sinus), the Bulls took control with a 16-4 run to end the third quarter at Auburn Hills, Mich.

Kirk Hinrich had 29 points for the Bulls. Chauncey Billups scored 17 for the Pistons.

Detroit’s Richard Hamilton and Chicago’s Tyrus Thomas had to be separated twice while being ejected for exchanging words with 8:12 left.

Golden State 110, Houston 99 -- With Tracy McGrady gone in the first quarter because of a stiff back, the Warriors held Yao Ming to nine points in an upset at Houston. Jason Richardson scored 27 points, including seven of Golden State’s 16 three-pointers. Luther Head made seven three-pointers and scored 30 points for Houston.

Denver 120, Sacramento 115 -- The Nuggets moved within half a game of the Lakers for the sixth playoff spot in the West behind Carmelo Anthony’s 30 points at Denver. Ron Artest had 32 points for Sacramento, losers of four in a row.

Portland 94, Utah 89 -- Rookie Brandon Roy scored 25 of his season-high 29 points in the second half to lift the host Trail Blazers. Carlos Boozer had 21 points and 21 rebounds for the Jazz.

Toronto 111, Orlando 108 -- Chris Bosh scored 28 points, including five free throws in the final 3:18, to help the Raptors hold on after overcoming a 15-point first-quarter deficit at Orlando, Fla. Hedo Turkoglu had a career-high 37 points for Orlando.

Philadelphia 92, New York 90 -- Andre Iguodala scored 18 points and blocked Stephon Marbury’s potential winning three-point try at New York. Marbury scored 28 of his 30 points after halftime.

New Orleans 101, Seattle 92 -- The Hornets overcame a franchise-record six-point fourth quarter with a 13-3 burst to start overtime at Oklahoma City. Bobby Jackson scored seven of his 18 points in overtime for the Hornets, whose previous low quarter was seven points.

New Jersey 101, Atlanta 86 -- After being booed during a 13-0 drought, the host Nets used a 20-2 run before halftime to break the game open. Bostjan Nachbar scored 26 points for New Jersey.

Milwaukee 98, Boston 89 -- The Bucks ended a seven-game losing streak behind Earl Boykins’ 32 points at Milwaukee.

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Portland rookie center LaMarcus Aldridge is sidelined indefinitely after experiencing dizziness and a rapid heartbeat while playing only seven minutes before being taken to the hospital Saturday against the Clippers.... The CBA’s Albany Patroons didn’t renew Micheal Ray Richardson’s coaching contract following his March 28 suspension for alleged anti-gay and anti-Semitic remarks.