WASHINGTON — After his Washington Wizards, the only winless team in the NBA, dropped to a franchise-worst 0-9, coach Randy Wittman sat down for his postgame news conference, sighed loudly, took a sip of water and glanced at the stat sheet.
Wittman chose various ways to try to explain the Wizards’ problems Monday night during a 96-89 loss to the Indiana Pacers, then tried to stand up — somewhat — for his players.
“I believe these guys can win," Wittman said. “I don’t have any doubts. ... I come in here every day, thinking this is the night. I feel good."
Then he chuckled a bit, paused, and delivered the punch line: “I might be dumb."
There were boos from an announced crowd of 14,426 early as Washington fell behind 26-7, and again at the end, when the Pacers took what had become a one-point game and closed with a 10-4 run.
David West scored 13 of his season-high 30 points in the fourth quarter, while Roy Hibbert broke out of a slump with 20 points and 12 rebounds after getting a phone call at 11:30 p.m. the night before from Pacers coach Frank Vogel.
“He’s always been supportive, and I appreciated the call," said Hibbert, whose mother yelled encouragement from her seat near the court. “He just expressed his support and care for me."
Hibbert, who played college home games for Georgetown at the Wizards’ arena, scored in single digits in seven of the season’s first 11 games, including only six points on three-of-10 shooting in Indiana’s 88-76 loss at the New York Knicks on Sunday.
“He told me he was going to have a big night," Vogel said.
Still without point guard John Wall, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2010 NBA draft, and starting center Nene — and no one seems to be sure when either injured player will make his 2012-13 debut — the Wizards have eclipsed their then-worst 0-8 start to last season.
“We’re a team that plays in spurts, instead of the great teams that play 48 minutes," said guard Jordan Crawford, who scored 11 points on two-for-12 shooting. “We’re going to have work towards playing 48 minutes."
Also on Monday:
Warriors 105
Mavericks 101
DALLAS — Stephen Curry scored 20 of his 31 points in the fourth quarter and overtime and David Lee’s layup with 32.8 seconds left helped Golden State beat Dallas.
Nuggets 97
Grizzlies 92
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Danilo Gallinari scored 26 points, including a 3-pointer with 13 seconds left, and Denver ended Memphis’ win streak at eight games.
Clippers 92
Spurs 87
SAN ANTONIO — Chris Paul had 19 points and eight assists and Los Angeles beat San Antonio for the second time this season.
Bobcats 102
Bucks 98
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Ramon Sessions scored nine of his 23 points in the fourth quarter, including two free throws with 4.2 seconds left to seal Charlotte’s win over Milwaukee.
Jazz 102
Rockets 91
SALT LAKE CITY — Reserve Gordon Hayward scored 15 points and Al Jefferson had 14 points and 16 rebounds to help Utah beat Houston.
Hawks 81
Magic 72
ATLANTA — Al Horford scored 15 points and Lou Williams added 14 to lead Atlanta to a win over struggling Orlando.
