One question nags at them as they return to the court. For the Wizards, it’s one that could shape the final 32 games of their season.
» When will Antawn Jamison return?
He was hurt three weeks ago tonight and was scheduled to miss three to six weeks. However, earlier speculation on his return focused on March.
To gain home court advantage in the first round, the Wizards (29-21) will need a healthy Jamison for this final stretch. Without him, they are 2-4 and have played miserably.
Among the other questions currently facing the Wizards:
» Can centers Etan Thomas and BrendanHaywood get along?
One Eastern Conference coach said last week, “Until that gets settled, it can have a lingering effect in the locker room. One of them probably has to go.”
Problem is, there’s not much of a market for either one, especially Thomas who is injury-prone and has a big contract. The trade deadline is Thursday. This coach said he had not heard either of their names in trade talks.
» When will Gilbert Arenas snap out of his slump?
In the past six games, Arenas has made just 33 percent of his shots (42-127) and 18.3 percent of his three-point shots. His rhythm is way off. Without Jamison, Arenas has suffered from more double teams.
Also, without Jamison to kick to on drives, teams can focus more on taking the lane away from Arenas. Still, he’s forced more shots of late. At one point, Arenas was in the mix for the MVP, but that talk has quieted as he’s struggled of late.
» Can they hold off the Heat?
Of Washington’s next 11 games, only three come against teams with a winning record (Chicago, Miami and Toronto) and seven are at home. It’s imperative that the Wizards exit this stretch in good shape.
Why?
Because seven of their next eight games after this stretch — and 13 of their last 21 overall — are on the road. They also play Miami three times in the final 32 games; they currently lead the Heat by four games. Meanwhile, the Heat plays four of their next five on the road but that precedes eight of nine at home.
Extra points
» Washington hosts Minnesota tonight and Sacramento on Thursday. Both teams have losing records; the Wizards are 15-7 against teams that currently have losing records.
» The Wizards are currently the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference, trailing Detroit by two and a half games and Cleveland by a half game.
