By Michael Lee
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, February 28, 2007

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J., Feb. 27 -- Washington Wizards Coach Eddie Jordan ruled out Antawn Jamison for Wednesday's game against Miami at Verizon Center, but Jamsion said after the Wizards' 113-101 loss to New Jersey that he was awaiting the word from the team's doctors, leaving open a possible return.

Jordan said he didn't know the availability of forward Caron Butler, who missed his second consecutive game Tuesday night and was sent home in the afternoon to meet with team doctors about his balky back. Jordan added that he wasn't certain if Butler's injury is more serious than diagnosed. "We're not sure about anything -- I'm not," he said. "We'll see what the doctors say, whether it's spasms. I don't want to speculate."

Butler began feeling severe pain in his back last weekend. He didn't participate in the morning shoot-around and missed his practice on Monday, but rest has not helped.

Jamison missed his 11th straight game (sprained left knee) but practiced in the morning and took shots before the game. "We're going to monitor him," Jordan said.

The Wizards snapped a 16-game losing streak against the Miami Heat, which was playing without Dwyane Wade or Shaquille O'Neal, with a 106-95 win on Dec. 15. The Heat will be without Wade (dislocated left shoulder) for the rematch, but Miami players said they could still catch the Wizards for the Southeast Division.

"We feel we can hold them off, if that's the way they feel," Jordan said.

UP NEXT Friday vs. Hawks7 p.m. Comcast SportsNet, WTEM-980 Sunday vs. Warriors1 p.m. WDCW-50, WTEM-980