After suffering their most decisive loss in six years, minus three starters Monday at Utah, the Wizards look to regain their literal and figurative health over the next four days with games against three of the bottom five teams in the Eastern Conference.
With Milwaukee (24-48), Miami (13-61), and Chicago (29-44) on the slate, the Wizards have a chance to enhance their playoff position. But that won’t be easy if Caron Butler (left hamstring), Gilbert Arenas (left knee) and Antonio Daniels (left wrist) can’t play.
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All were on the bench in street clothes in Utah. After a long flight Monday night, the Wizards did not practice Tuesday. The status of the players is likely to be determined at an extended shootaround this morning.
After its first back-to-back losses since Feb. 22, Washington (38-36) has fallen into a tie with Toronto (38-36) for fifth place in the East, with Philadelphia (37-37) close behind.
Falling to seventh place and a first-round playoff series with Detroit (52-21) is the uninviting prospect that looms for the Wizards if they can’t cure their leaky defense. Sunday’s 126-120 overtime loss in Los Angeles and Monday’s 129-87 defeat in Utah were the two largest outputs by Washington opponents this year.
Utah got free for open jumpers and layups. The Jazz shot 59 percent from the floor, 58 percent from the arc (both highs for Wizards foes this year). Jazz guard Deron Williams produced 12 points and 16 assists in 28 minutes. Rookie forward C.J. Miles had a career-high 29 points.
“Wide open threes. They’re already a very good team on the pick and roll. We had some breakdowns,” said Wizards guard Nick Young. “Their young guys hit shots. The ocean looks big when you’re by yourself.”
The quickest cure would be the return of two of the Wizards’ best defenders, Daniels and Butler. If that doesn’t happen tonight, Young, Roger Mason and DeShawn Stevenson will be busy defending the perimeter.
