Need evidence of how Caron Butler’s hip injury affects the Wizards? Look no further than the shooting of fellow All-Star Antawn Jamison.
In six games since Butler suffered a strained hip flexor, Jamison has hit 36.3 percent from the floor, including 22.2 percent from the arc. Those numbers pale in comparison to Jamison’s marks in the first 42 games — 44.0 and 35.0 percent respectively.
“It makes a world of difference when you have an All-Star like Caron out,” said Jamison. “But when you’re out on the court, you gotta find a way to get it done.”
That will be the goal for Washington (24-24) when it plays tonight at Denver (29-19) in the first of four games of a western road trip.
With Butler missing four of the last six games and hobbled in the other two, the Wizards have lost five straight. Butler’s injury, along with that of guard Gilbert Arenas (knee), leaves Jamison, who averages 21.2 points per game, as the only double-digit scorer in the lineup and the target of opposing defenses.
In Wednesday’s 85-77 loss to San Antonio, Jamison had to contend with one of the NBA’s top defenders, Bruce Bowen, and found it difficult to get shots in his favorite spots as he hit 5 of 14. Usually, it’s Bowen’s job to guard Butler.
Jamison isn’t the only Wizard who has struggled since Butler’s injury. The team is shooting 40.0 percent from the floor in the last six games, down from its 44.9 figure over the first 42 games.
“We have to be efficient. We don’t have to complicate the game. Keep it simple, continue to play off each other, make each other better,” said guard Antonio Daniels. “We have enough in this locker room to win games.”
Wizards at Nuggets
When » Tonight, 10:30
Where » Pepsi Center
TV » CSN
Radio » 980 AM
» In their lone meeting this year, Denver (29-19) hammered Wizards, 118-92, in November. The Nuggets boast the top-scoring duo in the NBA, Allen Iverson (27.1 ppg) and Carmelo Anthony (25.7 ppg). This is the opener of a four-game west coast swing
