Wizards start homestand versus Portland

This is the first of two meetings between the clubs this season. The Blazers are scheduled to host the Wizards on December 18th at the Rose Garden.

Washington will try and get back on the winning track. On Saturday, Gerald Wallace compiled 26 points, 14 rebounds and five blocked shots to spark the Charlotte Bobcats to a 100-82 home victory over the Wizards.

Antawn Jamison paced the struggling Wizards, who have lost of six of their last seven games overall, with 20 points and 14 rebounds against Charlotte. Brendan Haywood chipped in 16 points and 11 boards, but Washington’s leading scorer Gilbert Arenas was held to just 11 points on 5-of-15 shooting from the field.

The Wizards are 3-2 at home this season. They will also host Milwaukee and Toronto on the current stand.

Portland wraps up a seven-game road trip. The Trail Blazers are 2-4 on the swing.

On Tuesday, Allen Iverson poured in 38 points and grabbed eight rebounds to help Philadelphia head coach Maurice Cheeks beat his former team, as the Philadelphia 76ers routed the Trail Blazers, 107-83, at the Wachovia Center.

Zach Randolph finished with 24 points in the loss to Philadelphia for Portland, while Darius Miles had 13 for the Trail Blazers, who have lost five of their last seven contests overall.

The Blazers are 2-6 on the road this season. They return to the Rose Garden on Friday to host Jermaine O’Neal and the Indiana Pacers.

The road team has won five of the last six meetings in this series. Portland has won nine of its last 12 at Washington.