Wizards hope to continue their winning ways against Portland

Washington is in first place in the Southeast Division, one game ahead of the second place Miami Heat. The Wizards are the third seed in the Eastern Conference.

The Wizards open a five-game road trip this evening. All-Star Gilbert Arenas scored 30 points and dished out 11 assists to lead Washington to a 125-103 victory over the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets at the Verizon Center. Arenas, who converted two four-point plays, shot 10-of-18 from the field, including 4-of-8 from beyond the arc.

Antawn Jamison scored 21 points in the victory over the Hornets for Washington, while DeShawn Stevenson netted 18 for the Wizards, who has won five of their last eight games overall.

Washington is 11-19 on the road this season. The Wizards will also visit Seattle, Golden State, the Clippers and Utah on the current swing.

Portland has dropped four straight games and wraps up a short two-game homestand. Rashard Lewis collected a game-high 27 points and 12 rebounds to lead the SuperSonics past the Trail Blazers, 95-77, at the Rose Garden.

Zach Randolph had a team-best 16 points on just 7-of-17 from the floor for the Trail Blazers, who have dropped six of their last seven games overall. Rookie Brandon Roy finished with 14 points and five assists, while Jamaal Magloire ended with 11 points and 12 rebounds off the bench.

The Trail Blazers are just 15-19 at home this season. After tonight’s game, they will embark on a four-game road trip. Portland will visit New York, Atlanta, Minnesota and Chicago on the upcoming swing.

This is the second and final meeting of the campaign between the squads. On February 11th, LaMarcus Aldridge scored a career-high 18 points and grabbed 10 rebounds as the Trail Blazers defeated Washington, 94-73, at the Verizon Center.

Washington has lost four of its last seven at Portland. The Trail Blazers have won two in a row in the series.