Celtics are beaten again by the Wizards

After a successful sweep of the league-leading Boston Celtics, the Washington Wizards are starting to think big even without a healthy Gilbert Arenas.

Caron Butler scored 21 points and Washington beat Boston, 88-83, on Monday night for the visiting Wizards’ second victory over the Celtics in three days.

“Our eyes are on winning a championship,” Butler said. “Hopefully we get Gilbert back by March, and when he comes back we will be even more dangerous.”

Antawn Jamison had 20 points and 10 rebounds for the Wizards, who handed Boston its first two-game losing streak of the season.

Butler scored nine points during a 25-6 run over the final 6:24 of the fourth quarter to give the Wizards their fifth win in the last six games.

“It’s tough to lose at home,” Celtics Coach Doc Rivers said. “We let our guard down and had a chance to keep them down.”

Boston also lost consecutive games at home for the first time all season and dropped to 30-6. The Celtics are 2-3 over their last five and have averaged 85 points a game over that span.

“As much as we preach defense, offensively I think we’ve hit a little snag,” Celtics guard Ray Allen said.

The Celtics led, 77-63, with 6:24 remaining before the Wizards rallied.

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Around the league

Cleveland Cavaliers Coach Mike Brown received a two-year contract extension that will keep him with the team through the 2010-11 season. Brown, in his third season, is 119-82. . . . New York Knicks guard Stephon Marbury will miss at least two more games and could require surgery on his left ankle. Marbury didn’t practice Saturday and missed Sunday’s victory over Detroit because his ankle was sore. He needed surgery to remove bone spurs from the same ankle in 2001. . . . The Denver Nuggets remained mum on the medical condition that has sidelined forward Nene since he took an indefinite leave of absence Friday. Coach George Karl indicated they are preparing to be without him for some time. “I was hurt and saddened by the news,” Karl said without elaborating. “Now the support and strength of the team to give to him is important.”