Caron Butler
\
Darius Songaila will make a second straight start in place of Butler, Wizards coach Eddie Jordan said. The coach added that hopefully the additional rest will allow Butler to heal to the point where he can play without experiencing pain Wednesday night in the season finale against Orlando.\
SEE RELATED:
\
Arenas on Saturday had his best game since returning to action, notching 20 points, seven rebounds and five assists in 25 minutes of play — the most action he has logged since ending his 66-game layoff almost two weeks ago. Jordan has praised the energy he has given the team off the bench and the matchup problem he creates for opponents, whose backups generally struggle to matchup well with the three-time All-Star.\
\
Pacers coach Jim O’Brien said he has been using former All-Star Jermaine O’Neal, who has been limited to 40 games with a knee injury, in a similar fashion, but when asked for his take on the similarities, Jordan said it’s the same thing, only different.\
\
“It’s kind of the same thing,” the coach said thoughtfully. “I like the fact that Gil is faster and more explosive and can handle the ball more, which makes it a little more dynamic on our part. Certainly, I think Jermaine has been back for longer than Gil has so he might have his legs under him a little more than Gil does, but, yeah, it’s the same type of thing. But I’d like to have that speed and quickness, rather than that slow, plodding post-up guy — but he’s a great player.”\
\
— Mike Jones
