Jazz 87 - 95 Wizards
Final
  for this game

Wizards look to avoid first 0-6 start in franchise history vs. Jazz

Nov 12, 2008 - 11:25 AM Utah (6-1) at Washington (0-5) 8:00 pm. EST

WASHINGTON (Ticker) -- The Washington Wizards desperately await the return of All-star guard Gilbert Arenas.

In the meantime, they will try and avoid going 0-6 for the first time in franchise history on Wednesday when they host the Northwest-Division leading Utah Jazz.

Arenas, the Wizards' top scorer and floor general, underwent a third knee surgery in 17 months prior to the season and is out at least another month.

However, even if Arenas were healthy he might not make much of a difference as poorly as the Wizards' defense has been. Washington is allowing 108.8 points per game - the worst mark in the league - and has yielded an average of 112.3 in its last four games.

The Wizards were blasted 106-81 by Orlando on Saturday - their lowest point total of the season. Aside from Arenas, Washington is also without center Brendan Haywood, who had offseason wrist surgery. Dwight Howard took advantage of his absence and scored 31 points and 16 rebounds.

While the Wizards are missing their star guard, the Jazz are glad to have theirs back.

Point guard Deron Williams, who missed the first six games with a sprained left ankle, returned to help Utah post a 93-80 win over Philadelphia on Tuesday. Williams shot just 1-of-8 from the floor, but had nine assists in 31 minutes.

Utah is 1-1 on its five-game road trip, which concludes on Saturday at Cleveland.






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