<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Life on the road can be difficult for any NBA team, but the Washington Wizards have particularly struggled this season, dropping their first four away games. The franchise hasn't opened 0-5 on the road since 1986-87, when the Bullets dropped their first seven road games. That team recovered to finish 42-40 and qualified for the playoffs, but the Wizards are eager to avoid digging a similar hole as they open a three-game trip tonight against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. The Wizards, Memphis Grizzlies (0-5) and Toronto Raptors (0-6) are the only teams in the league without a road victory. Statistically, the difference between Washington's home and away performance is striking. In five home games, the Wizards (4-5) are averaging 112.2 points, shooting 46.6 percent from the field and averaging 11.8 turnovers. In four away games, they are averaging 92.5 points, shooting 42.3 percent and committing 15.2 turnovers. "I don't know what it is, whether it's the crowd, being at home and sleeping in our own beds or what but when we get on this court we play and we play hard," guard DeShawn Stevenson said following Saturday's 111-99 home win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. "We just have to find a way to take that with us on the road. I think we need to get more rest on the road, you know, get a nice meal and just sit back and relax.</div> Link
