Pacers, Wizards try to get back on winning track

The Southeast Division-leading Wizards have dropped seven of their last 10 games overall, including Sunday’s 106-104 loss to the division-rival Miami Heat at AmericanAirlines Arena.

Gilbert Arenas poured in 33 points and Antawn Jamison had 26 points and 15 rebounds for the Wizards, who have lost five straight on the road and are 10-19 away from D.C. this season. Washington is just a half game ahead of Miami in the division and third overall in the Eastern Conference.

In injury news for Washington, forward Caron Butler (knee) is questionable for Wednesday’s game against Indiana. Butler is averaging 19.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game.

Indiana, meanwhile, has dropped a season high 10 straight games and will open a short two-game homestand this evening. On Tuesday the Pacers were handed an 86-81 loss by the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Target Center.

Jamaal Tinsley posted a game-high 37 points, six rebounds and six assists for Indiana, whose last win was a 136-129 double - overtime victory over Milwaukee on February 21 — the first game after the All-Star break. Mike Dunleavy scored 11 points, Danny Granger finished with 10 and Jeff Foster pulled down 11 rebounds for the Pacers.

The Pacers, who are in a three-way tie with New York and New Jersey for the seventh spot in the East, will also host Atlanta on the stand. Indiana owns an 18-13 mark at Conseco Fieldhouse this season.

Wednesday’s game between Washington and Indiana is the second of three meetings this season. The Wizards won the first encounter, 117-91, on November 8 at the Verizon Center. They will visit Conseco Fieldhouse again on April 18.

Washington has won eight of the last 14 meetings. However, it has dropped three of five and 14 of the last 17 trips to Indiana.