Playing time available with Blatche’s injury NBA scorekeepers mistook Wizards forward Kevin Seraphin for Trevor Booker during Washington’s 102-99 win at Charlotte on Saturday, improperly awarding one of Seraphin’s baskets to Booker.
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“I didn’t want to give it back, but they took it back,” Booker said after the two-point deduction.
It means he’s had back-to-back games matching his season-high with 14 points instead of setting a season best with 16 against the Bobcats.
| Up next | ||||
| Wizards at Magic | ||||
| When » | Wednesday, 7 p.m. | |||
| Where » | Amway Center, | Orlando, Fla. | ||
| TV » | CSN | |||
But with Andray Blatche sidelined three to five weeks with a strained left calf, Booker isn’t likely to be losing any playing time in the Wizards’ next stretch of games.
Wizards interim coach Randy Wittman leaned on Booker (5.8 points, 4.4 rebounds a game) in each of the past two games down the stretch because of his ability to guard and get out in transition as Washington tries to play at a faster pace. To go along with 14 points in Monday’s 98-88 loss to Chicago, Booker also had nine rebounds, three steals and two blocks.
“If he plays with that energy — that’s what he has to do,” Wittman said. “That’s a facet at that position that can really cause problems at the power forward position. He’s as quick and strong as anybody he’s going to play against, and he’s got to use those things to his advantage.”
Booker has matured as has the Wizards’ understanding of his game since he was brought to Washington from Clemson via the 23rd pick in the 2010 NBA Draft. Former coach Flip Saunders tried at times last season to play Booker at small forward, where his 6-foot-8, 240-pound frame seems more appropriate. But with his strength and athleticism, Booker is better suited for battling with, jumping over and outrunning power forwards, even if he gives up a couple inches.
“You have to play with heart,” Booker said. “In college I played in the ACC, played against players that were always taller than me, so I was pretty much used to it coming here.”
Last March, Booker averaged 10.3 points and 7.5 rebounds before a broken foot ended his season 11 games early.
He then suffered a thigh injury after joining Bnei HaSharon in Israel during the lockout. Despite never playing in a regular-season game overseas, Booker gained experience as the team’s main offensive weapon in practice, and things have come together over the last month with the Wizards (4-17) as his health and confidence have both crept steadily upward.
“He’s taken a step from a mental standpoint as well as physical from last year to this year,” Wittman said.
Booker’s energy has been symbolic of how Washington has played since Saunders was fired four games ago. The Wizards may not get a better chance on the road against the Magic (12-9), who’ve averaged just 76 points in their last four games, all losses. In the teams’ first meeting, a 103-85 Magic victory, the Wizards missed their first 12 shots and trailed by as many as 28 points.
“I think it’s a bit different this time around,” Wizards forward Rashard Lewis said. “We’ve been playing a lot better. We’ve been playing hard on both ends of the court. I’m looking forward to going out there and playing them tomorrow.”
