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Magic-Wizards Preview

Jan 8, 2010 - 5:02 AM By NICOLINO DIBENEDETTO STATS Writer

Orlando (24-11) at Washington (11-22), 7:00 p.m. EDT

The Washington Wizards are expected to struggle without Gilbert Arenas, and that was evident in their first game without the suspended star.

Minus their most dynamic player, the Wizards on Friday night will host the Southeast Division-leading Orlando Magic, who are trying to avoid their longest losing streak in almost three years.

Arenas' indefinite league suspension stems from an alleged dispute over card-playing gambling debts and a heated locker-room discussion with Javaris Crittenton last month. The New York Post reported the two drew weapons on each other, but Arenas said in a statement that he took unloaded guns from his locker in a "misguided effort to play a joke" on a teammate.

Arenas also appeared to make light of the situation - which includes investigations by federal and local authorities - prior to Tuesday's 104-97 win at Philadelphia. During warmups, he pointed his index fingers like guns at his teammates, who surrounded him in a circle and were laughing and smiling.

NBA commissioner David Stern reacted Wednesday by banning Arenas, saying he was "not currently fit to take the court."

Hours later, the Wizards (11-22) lost for the fifth time in six games, 121-98 at Cleveland. The 23-point margin of defeat was Washington's second-largest this season.

"It's like a black cloud over us," guard DeShawn Stevenson said. "Hit us over the head again and we might break."

Washington, last in the Southeast, is also planning to fine some players for participating in Arenas' on-court antics Tuesday.

"We have to find a way to turn this around, so we really have to put this behind us as quickly as possible," forward Antawn Jamison said. "It is what it is right now and we just have to focus on basketball. It's been awhile as far as us doing, but that should be our main and most important objective right now."

Without Arenas, the Wizards will likely turn again to Earl Boykins, who had 10 points and six assists against the Cavaliers in his first start of 2009-10.

The 5-foot-5, 133-pound journeyman has made 34 starts in 545 career games. He's averaging 8.2 points and 3.2 assists per game - a far cry from Arenas' team-leading 22.6 points and 7.2 assists.

The Wizards have dropped five in a row to the Magic (24-11) without Arenas, including all four meetings last season while he recovered from knee surgery. Washington also is on a five-game series losing streak at home since beating Orlando 112-111 on Dec. 29, 2006, behind 36 points from Arenas.

The defending Eastern Conference champion Magic come in looking to avoid their first four-game skid since Feb. 20-25, 2007. On Wednesday, Orlando fell 108-103 at home to Toronto in a performance coach Stan Van Gundy called "lifeless."

"My point is it's not happening to us. Some things happen to you. Those things are out of your control. We're the ones doing this. We're the actors," he said. "We've got to change this around. It's us and we've got to do it. It's not going to happen because we miraculously do it. It's going to happen because we make it happen."

The Magic are shooting 38.5 percent from the field during their skid with all losses coming to teams with records under .500.

Vince Carter leads the club in scoring with 17.7 points per game, but has totaled 21 in his last three contests, shooting 7 of 37 from the floor. He's also failed to sink any of eight shots from beyond the arc.

Some better play around the basket from Dwight Howard could help Orlando continue its success against Washington. He had 20 points against the Raptors, but is averaging 11.8 over the last six games.

Howard, who's averaging 16.8 points and 13.3 boards this season, has had 22.5 and 14.8 in his last four games against the Wizards.