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Arenas, Wizards look to break out of slump against Hornets

Mar 17, 2007 - 3:49 PM New Orleans (29-36) at Washington (35-28)

WASHINGTON (Ticker) - Gilbert Arenas and the Washington Wizards returned to form at just the right time.

After snapping a three-game losing streak on Wednesday, Arenas and the Wizards will look to return to the form that has kept them on top the Southeast Division for most of the season when they take on the New Orleans Hornets on Saturday.

Boasting one of the highest scoring trios in the NBA, Washington is currently third in the Eastern Conference, four games behind second-place Cleveland thanks to the exploits of Arenas, Antawn Jamison and fellow All-Star Caron Butler.

Washington has struggled to a 4-7 record in its 11 games since the All-Star break and now is just percentage points ahead of surging Miami (36-29) in the Southeast Division. However, despite their struggles, the Wizards showed flashes of their stellar form on Wednesday, posting a convincing 112-96 victory over sliding Indiana.

But Washington may have trouble going forward without the injured Butler, who will miss seven to 10 days with a left knee injury. Butler scored just two points in 13 minutes against the Pacers.

On Wednesday, Arenas picked up the slack, scoring 20 of his 35 points in the third quarter to secure the victory. The star guard has held up his end of the bargain for Washington, scoring 29.4 points per game in his last six contests.

The Hornets snapped a six-game losing streak with a 92-90 win over New York on Friday. Star guard Chris Paul battled through an injured foot to collect 20 points and eight assists for the Hornets, who picked up their first win this month. The win ended a five-game road losing streak for the Hornets as they improved to just 10-23 away from home.

The Hornets are a game behind Golden State and the Los Angeles Clippers for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

After defeating the Wizards, 104-97, in the first meeting between the teams this season, the Hornets now aim to sweep the series for first time since 2003-04.