The consistency that defined the first half of the season for Antawn Jamison has begun to wobble with four games to go before a much needed All-Star break — which starts for Jamison as soon as the Wizards’ game ends Tuesday in his hometown of Charlotte, N.C.
His year didn’t start until 10 games in because of a shoulder injury, but Jamison still scored in double figures in all but two of his first 31 contests. He has been held to nine points or less in four of the last seven, including eight points and a season-low shooting percentage (.118) against Boston on Monday.
And while Jamison averages 8.9 rebounds, his rebounding has been anything but average, with both career lows (zero rebounds vs. Charlotte on Nov. 28) and career highs (23 against New York on Saturday).
“Whether it’s been stats or anything affiliated with the game, it has been a very uncanny and very unique season,” Jamison said. “To go with no rebounds, that’s something that I can’t recall that’s happened, to 23 rebounds. To go from [2-for-17] to making just about every shot that I touch. That’s when, mentally, you gotta forget about the bad things that happen and try to duplicate some of the good things that take place.”
Wizards head coach Flip Saunders wasn’t surprised to see Jamison struggle against Kevin Garnett. Jamison, who was questionable before last week’s game against the Lakers with a foot sprain, still isn’t 100 percent.
“He’s banged up and everything,” Saunders said. “If he’s not having success, it’s not because he’s not trying or working hard.”
Mike Miller also had his best game of the season for the Wizards (16-31) against the Knicks (18-29): 25 points, eight assists and seven 3-pointers.
“I tell all the young guys when they come in, don’t get too high, don’t get too low,” Miller said. “Antawn knows that. I wouldn’t be surprised if he goes for 35 or 40. It’s just the way it goes sometimes.”
