Jamison's Trip Is Business, Personal

LOS ANGELES, March 24 -- The Wizards are in the midst of a six-game road trip through the Western Conference, but forward Antawn Jamison is still shaking off memories of the team's last long road trip.

In December, the Wizards opened a five-game set with losses to the Lakers, Portland and Seattle before rebounding with wins over Denver and Phoenix. At the time, Jamison was mired in a monthlong shooting slump that dropped his scoring average to a season-low 17.9 points following the loss at Seattle on Dec. 19.

That would explain why Jamison was so focused during Thursday's 109-97 win at Utah, when he made a career-high seven three-pointers and finished with 27 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists.

"This trip for me is more personal," Jamison said.

"Last time we came out west, I went into a slump and I don't want that to happen again. The stakes are a little bit higher and I have to make sure that I hold my end."

Jamison made 10 of 43 shots and 2 of 9 three-point attempts in the losses to the Lakers, Portland and Seattle but found his scoring touch in January and February. He is averaging 20.2 points and 9.7 rebounds and shooting 44.5 percent from the field heading into Saturday's game against the Clippers.

"I was like a lost puppy," Jamison said. "That's not going to happen this time out." . . .

The Wizards will wear uniforms modeled after the 1972-73 Baltimore Bullets Saturday but perhaps they should reconsider. They are 0-4 in the throwbacks so far this season.