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Butler tries to guide Wizards to third straight win

Mar 15, 2008 - 2:17 PM LA Clippers (21-42) at Washington (32-32) 7:00 pm EDT

WASHINGTON (Ticker) - With All-Star Caron Butler back in the lineup, the Washington Wizards hope to gain some much needed momentum.

After missing the last 16 games, Butler finally returned to pour in 19 points in Washington's 101-99 thrilling victory on Thursday over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

"I feel good," said Butler, who went through a full workout. "After (Wednesday's) practice, I went in the back and got a little treatment and still felt good."

Washington coach Eddie Jordan could also get another boost to his rotation once guard Gilbert Arenas (left knee) returns at the end of the month. The 6-4 Arenas led the club in scoring at 28.5 points last season.

The Wizards enter just one-game ahead of the Philadelphia 76ers for sixth place in the Eastern Conference standings.

Los Angeles fell to 1-2 on its five-game East Coast trip with Friday's 117-93 setback to the Atlanta Hawks despite another stellar effort from rookie Al Thornton.

Drafted 14th overall out of Florida State in June, Thornton continues his late-season push for Rookie of the Year honors by averaging 16.3 points this month.

In the first meeting on February 13, All-Star Antawn Jamison collected 29 points and nine rebounds to upstage Thornton's 24-point effort in Washington's 91-89 triumph at the Staples Center.