Wizards try to turn down Heat in D.C.

Miami has dropped three of its last four games, including Monday’s 99-93 loss to the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Shaquille O’Neal ended with 20 points for Miami, which is 11-19 as the visitor this season. Jason Kapono added 24 points in the losing effort.

After Wednesday’s game in D.C., the Heat will open a six-game homestand versus Detroit, Atlanta, Chicago, Minnesota, Washington and Utah.

In injury news, the Heat are 1-2 since star guard Dwyane Wade went down with a dislocated left shoulder against Houston on February 21. They are 2-8 overall this season without the former Marquette star in the lineup.

The Wizards, who own a 4 1/2-game lead over both Orlando and Miami in the standings, have lost three straight and suffered a 113-101 setback to the New Jersey Nets on Tuesday in the finale of a three-game road trip at Continental Airlines Arena.

Gilbert Arenas had 26 points and Jarvis Hayes added 21 with nine boards for the Wizards, who will open a four-game homestand this evening. Washington will host Miami, Atlanta, Golden State and Toronto, and owns a 21-7 record at the Verizon Center this season.

Wednesday’s showdown between Miami and Washington is the second of four matchups this regular season. The Wizards won the first encounter, 106-95, on December 15 at the Verizon Center. Both teams will meet again on March 11 and April 11 this season.

Miami has won 12 of the last 13 meetings with the Wizards. It has also won six of its last seven trips to D.C.