Caron Butler and the Wizards host the visiting Pacers
On Thursday, the Washington Wizards had two opportunities to sink a game-tying three, yet the Boston Celtics prevailed. Tonight, the Wizards host the Pacers. Will Washington look to Caron Butler for another magic finish, or will Indiana, without the assistance of Danny Granger, upset the Wizards at home?
The 7-13 Pacers beat the Wizards 102-86 early in November this season, yet the Wizards did not have Earl Boykins, and Antawn Jamison was on the injured reserve list due to a freak preseason shoulder injury.
However, even without Granger, who leads Indiana this season with 24.4 points per game (PPG), the Pacers now have Mike Dunleavy and Troy Murphy back to health. Dunleavy, while not as explosive as Granger, has three point range in a 6'9" frame, and can put up points in bunches off the bench. Murphy is a rebounding force, and leads the Pacers with 8.9 per game.
Dunleavy and Murphy add size to an already big Pacers team, who can spread the floor with the shooting of Tyler Hansbrough and even Roy Hibbert, who sank a rare three pointer against the New Jersey Nets Friday night in a 107-91 victory.
Washington has lost their last three and will need help from their frontcourt tonight. Last Thursday in Boston, the Wizards seemed to have a lot of trouble rotating their big men. It seems as if Fabricio Oberto and JaVale McGee have been non-factors for the last 10-15 games.
The last time Washington played Indiana, wingman Caron Butler led the Wizards with 24 points on 8-for-21 shooting, Randy Foye dropped in 16 off the bench, and Arenas had 13. Butler and the Wizards will need to play more efficiently tonight, and Butler, who averages only 16.2 PPG this season after averaging over 20 in the last two, will need to step it up for a Wizards win.
My colleague Paula Duffy recently sat down for a talk with Caron regarding his charitable work in the community, from his annual Bike Brigade to his help in the "Stop the Violence"
campaign. While Caron has had a shaky season on the court this year, his efforts off the court have not wavered. Like the late Abe Pollin, Butler is a man who always has time to help others.
