GAME THREAD: NBA: MINNESOTA (3-15) at WASHINGTON (10-10)

NBA: MINNESOTA (3-15) at WASHINGTON (10-10)

<h3>Wizards aim to finish homestand on positive note</h3>

<div class="pre">Minnesota (3-15) at Washington (10-10) 7:00 pm EST</div>

WASHINGTON (Ticker) - The Washington Wizards wrap up theirfive-game homestand against the lowly Minnesota Timberwolves onTuesday.


Caron Butler scored 28 points and Antawn Jamison contributed 22and 10 rebounds to help the Wizards register their sixth win athome with Saturday's 104-89 victory over New Jersey.

"We're a team that's known for probably putting our guard down alittle bit early and letting teams get back into the game, but(Saturday) shows our maturity," Butler said. "It shows how muchwe've grown as a basketball team."


The 1-2 punch of Butler and Jamison have been almost unstoppableduring Washington's homestand, combining for 44.7 points and17.2 boards. Jamison also has a streak of six straightdouble-doubles.


Washington is 3-1 on its homestand.


Al Jefferson dominated the paint, finishing with a career-tying32 points to go along with 20 rebounds to help Minnesota endits five-game losing streak with a 100-93 win over the PhoenixSuns on Saturday.


As the prize of the blockbuster deal that sent Kevin Garnett toBoston, Jefferson has done a stellar job of making fans forgetabout Minnesota's horrific start.


The 22-year-old Jefferson is averaging career best in points(20.1) and rebounds (11.3) in his fourth season as a pro.

Washington and Minnesota have split two games in each of thelast three seasons.

 

NBA: MINNESOTA at WASHINGTON

<div class="pre">MINNESOTA VS WASHINGTON - INACTIVES

MINNESOTA WASHINGTON

PLAYER NAME REASON PLAYER NAME REASON
T RATLIFF KNEE INJURY E THOMAS HEART SURGERY
G BUCKNER CALF INJURY
R FOYE LEFT PATELLA FRACTUR</div>

 

NBA: MINNESOTA at WASHINGTON

<div class="pre">MINNESOTA AT WASHINGTON - PROBABLE STARTING LINEUPS


MINNESOTA WASHINGTON

F Craig Smith F Antawn Jamison
F Corey Brewer F Caron Butler
C Al Jefferson C Brendan Haywood
G Marko Jaric G Antonio Daniels
G Sebastian Telfair G DeShawn Stevenson

OFFICIALS: Mark Wunderlich
Pat Fraher
Ed Malloy</div>

 

NBA: MINNESOTA at WASHINGTON

<div class="pre">NBA MINNESOTA 6
WASHINGTON 4 9:03 LEFT, 1ST QTR</div>

 

NBA: MINNESOTA at WASHINGTON

<div class="pre">NBA MINNESOTA 9
WASHINGTON 13 5:54 LEFT, 1ST QTR</div>

 

NBA: MINNESOTA at WASHINGTON

<div class="pre">NBA MINNESOTA 17
WASHINGTON 21 2:45 LEFT, 1ST QTR</div>

 

NBA: MINNESOTA at WASHINGTON

<div class="pre">NBA MINNESOTA 26
WASHINGTON 26 END, 1ST QTR</div>

 

NBA: MINNESOTA at WASHINGTON

<div class="pre">NBA END 1ST QTR 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
MINNESOTA 26 26
WASHINGTON 26 26 END 1ST QTR

HIGH SCORERS AFTER 1ST QUARTER

MIN - CRAIG SMITH 15, SEBASTIAN TELFAIR 6,
MARKO JARIC 3
WAS - DESHAWN STEVENSON 11, ANTAWN JAMISON 7,
CARON BUTLER 6</div>

 

NBA: MINNESOTA at WASHINGTON

<div class="pre">NBA MINNESOTA 28
WASHINGTON 31 8:58 LEFT, 2ND QTR</div>

 

NBA: MINNESOTA at WASHINGTON

<div class="pre">NBA MINNESOTA 36
WASHINGTON 41 5:20 LEFT, 2ND QTR</div>

 

NBA: MINNESOTA at WASHINGTON

<div class="pre">NBA MINNESOTA 40
WASHINGTON 44 2:30 LEFT, 2ND QTR</div>

 

NBA: MINNESOTA at WASHINGTON

<div class="pre">NBA MINNESOTA 46
WASHINGTON 56 HALFTIME</div>

 

NBA: MINNESOTA at WASHINGTON

<div class="pre">NBA HALFTIME 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
MINNESOTA 26 20 46
WASHINGTON 26 30 56 HALFTIME

HIGH SCORERS AT HALFTIME

MIN - CRAIG SMITH 19, MARKO JARIC 8, AL
JEFFERSON 6
WAS - ANTAWN JAMISON 17, CARON BUTLER 12,
DESHAWN STEVENSON 11</div>

 

NBA: MINNESOTA at WASHINGTON

<div class="pre">NBA MINNESOTA 46
WASHINGTON 64 8:55 LEFT, 3RD QTR</div>

 

NBA: MINNESOTA at WASHINGTON

<div class="pre">NBA MINNESOTA 53
WASHINGTON 66 5:59 LEFT, 3RD QTR</div>

 

NBA: MINNESOTA at WASHINGTON

<div class="pre">NBA MINNESOTA 62
WASHINGTON 75 3:00 LEFT, 3RD QTR</div>

 

NBA: MINNESOTA at WASHINGTON

<div class="pre">NBA MINNESOTA 69
WASHINGTON 83 END, 3RD QTR</div>

 

NBA: MINNESOTA at WASHINGTON

<div class="pre">NBA END 3RD QTR 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
MINNESOTA 26 20 23 69
WASHINGTON 26 30 27 83 END 3RD QTR

HIGH SCORERS AFTER 3RD QUARTER

MIN - CRAIG SMITH 29, SEBASTIAN TELFAIR 9, AL
JEFFERSON 8
WAS - ANTAWN JAMISON 17, ROGER MASON JR 17,
CARON BUTLER 16</div>

 

NBA: MINNESOTA at WASHINGTON

<div class="pre">NBA MINNESOTA 77
WASHINGTON 85 8:48 LEFT, 4TH QTR</div>

 

NBA: MINNESOTA at WASHINGTON

<div class="pre">NBA MINNESOTA 79
WASHINGTON 92 5:45 LEFT, 4TH QTR</div>