Wizards in unfamiliar territory

See, it’s been a while since the club has been in contention this late in the season.

With a victory over Philadelphia on Wednesday, coupled with Miami’s loss to Toronto, the Wizards retook the lead in the Southeast Division by a half-game over the Heat. It marked the first time since the 1978-79 campaign the Wizards owned their division’s lead at this point of the season.

Not that the Wizards are happy about it. In fact, they never should have let the dangerous Heat get this close. However, a 4-7 February and a 7-7 March so far — Washington wraps its play this month against the Raptors on Friday — has allowed the streaking Heat to make it a tight race.

Washington and Miami play just once more this season, April 11 in Florida. Winning the division is big between the two clubs, as it could mean the difference between a fourth seed and the sixth spot in the East.

Injuries have also been to blame. Antawn Jamison missed 12 games in February due to a sprained left knee, and Caron Butler’s career season was derailed for the Wizards’ last six games due to a left knee contusion.

Jamison has been back in the lineup since March 2, and netted 20-plus points in each of Washington’s last eight games until scoring just 14 against the Sixers on Wednesday. He is second on the team at 19.8 points per game, a full 10 points behind leader Gilbert Arenas (29.8).

Jamison is also grabbing 8.1 rebounds per game and had 11 boards against Philadelphia.

That game also marked the return of Butler, who contributed 21 points as his club snapped a three-game losing streak. Washington is 36-25 this season with Butler in the starting lineup, as the Connecticut product is averaging career highs across the board in points (19.1) rebounds (7.5), assists (3.7) and steals (2.1).

Washington has six home games left on the regular season schedule and is 26-9 at the Verizon Center this season. That leaves the club just three wins shy of the 2004-05 club’s record 29 home wins.