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SEEN AND HEARD AT VERIZON CENTER

Miami Heat rookie Michael Beasley made his second return to his hometown this season Saturday night. The D.C. native hoped to improve on his first game in the District — a six-point, three-rebound performance Nov. 18.

"Last game was my first time in the NBA, first time coming home, so I was a little hyped, but after the first time it's normal," said Beasley, who last summer was drafted second overall out of Kansas State. "You've got to have a mature sense about it. You can't really play like that every time you come home, because I'm going to be coming home a lot."

When asked about going up against Antawn Jamison, who in three games against the Heat had averaged 20.3 points and 11.3 rebounds, Beasley replied: "Another day at the job. I ain't really worried. ... He's a great player, don't get me wrong. At the same time, I gotta come to play. ... I ain't never been the star-struck type."

While he welcomed the chance to come home, Beasley didn't take part in the Cherry Blossom festivities that shut down much of the city Saturday. "Man, I hadn't ever heard of that," he said of the festival.

— Mike Jones

BY THE NUMBERS

8,014 Career points scored by Caron Butler. He surpassed the 8,000-point plateau on a 12-foot jumper with 9:33 left in the third quarter Saturday.

1-15 Record for Washington in the Southeast Division after Saturday night's loss to Miami. The lone division win this season came against Charlotte.