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Wizards-Clippers Preview

Dec 14, 2009 - 6:34 AM Washington (7-14) at Los Angeles (9-13), 10:30 p.m. EDT

Gilbert Arenas sounds like he's happy to begin a four-game Western Conference road trip in his hometown after the way he finished two disheartening games at home.

Arenas and the Washington Wizards try to end a four-game losing streak Monday night when they take on the Los Angeles Clippers.

Washington (7-14) fell 114-113 to Indiana on Saturday with Arenas missing two key free throws down the stretch for the second consecutive game. The career 80.5 percent foul shooter made 5 of 13 attempts over the two contests, also failing in the clutch in a 104-102 loss to Boston on Thursday.

"It's really frustrating," he said. "I'm shooting them all day. I mean, I don't even know why I'm sitting here talking about some free throws. I never fathomed that I'd be missing free throws again. Maybe it's just mental, because I'm making them in practice."

The Los Angeles-born Arenas is averaging 20.7 points on the season, but it hasn't translated to victories for the Wizards. Washington plays seven of its next eight on the road, starting with this trip that also includes visits to Sacramento, Golden State and Phoenix.

"Maybe this West Coast trip is what we need, you know," Arenas said. "Get away from this building, get into some territories where we can breathe a little bit."

Even the return of Antawn Jamison hasn't helped. Jamison scored 31 points Saturday and is averaging 20.7 like Arenas, but the Wizards are 5-7 since Jamison returned after missing the first nine games of the season with a shoulder injury.

"We're inventing ways to lose," coach Flip Saunders said.

The Wizards could see Mike Miller return soon. Miller, sidelined since Nov. 21 with a calf injury, is close to coming back and will travel on the trip.

Arenas, who hasn't faced the Clippers (9-13) the previous two seasons, is averaging 28.0 points in his last six games against them. The Wizards have won three of the last four meetings with Los Angeles.

Los Angeles is trying to split a six-game homestand after falling 115-90 to San Antonio on Sunday.

Point guard Baron Davis, plagued by an upset stomach that prevented him from practicing Saturday, came off the bench for the first time this season and led the Clippers with 20 points in 30 minutes.

"I've been a little sick, and I was getting a little tired and a little dizzy," Davis said. "But when you are out on the court, you definitely need to do something out there."

Los Angeles used its fifth different starting lineup against the Spurs. Sebastian Telfair made his first start in Davis' place and had two points in 20 minutes, finishing as the only Clippers starter that did not score in double figures.

Chris Kaman had 19 points and 10 boards for his seventh double-double. Kaman had 19 points on 9-of-10 shooting March 18 as the Clippers scored 67 second-half points in a 123-108 victory that ended a three-game skid against the Wizards.