Ailing Washington facing Nets before long trip
With only one victory in 32 games away from Verizon Center this season, getting a positive result in any road game is a monumental task for the Wizards (16-51). And with very few home games left — only six — and even fewer against teams with losing records, chances may be running out to get any wins at all.
After losing its last three games at home by an average of more than 22 points, Washington may need to make the most of playing the Nets (22-45), one of only three teams with a losing record that will come to the District during the season’s final four weeks (Cleveland and Detroit are the other two). The Wizards depart after Sunday’s game for a five-game road trip, their longest of the season.
“We usually play good at home,” guard John Wall said after the Wizards’ 27-point loss to Oklahoma City last week. “But lately we have just been playing bad, and teams come in here and take homecourt away from us early.”
| Up Next |
| Nets at Wizards |
| When » Sunday, 1 p.m. |
| Where » Verizon Center |
| TV » CSN |
New Jersey had won five in a row before losing its last two, and point guard Deron Williams aggravated his strained right wrist in a loss Friday at Milwaukee.
Injuries also continue to deplete the Wizards, who were forced to sign swingman Othyus Jeffers from the NBA Development League on a 10-day contract to help shore up their ranks. Jeffers, who had a stint with San Antonio earlier this month, was the 2009 D-League rookie of the year and ended last season in Utah, where he appeared in 14 regular-season games and six playoff games.
Washington has been without Andray Blatche for the last four games with a sore right shoulder, and Josh Howard and Nick Young have missed the last two games with left knee injuries. Rashard Lewis also hasn’t played since March 5 with a sore right knee.
The lengthy casualty list has opened the door for rookies Trevor Booker and Jordan Crawford. Booker, who has started the last four games, had a career-high 26 points and matched his career best with 13 rebounds in Friday’s 116-107 loss at Toronto. Crawford has started two games in a row and has averaged 20.4 points in the Wizards’ last five contests.
