"The schedule is what the schedule is, but I see it as a challenge," said Jamison, whose team snapped a five-game losing streak Monday with a win at Minnesota. "The thing I remind the young guys of is the teams coming in here are playing for something. New Orleans for a better seed in the West. Orlando's trying to catch Boston. So let's try to jump on these higher-ranking teams early in the first half and try to be a spoiler."

The 39-23 Hornets hold the sixth spot in the Western Conference playoff race. They stood a half-game back of both Utah and Portland for the fourth spot entering Tuesday. In addition to the chance to ruin things for the Hornets, Jamison welcomes the opportunity to measure himself against All-Star forward David West, who this season averages 20.3 points and 8.3 rebounds.

"I'm gonna have David West coming at me," said Jamison, the Wizards' leading scorer (21.7) and rebounder (9.1). "It's about pride and proving yourself. So the goal for me is to individually outplay my opponent every night and for us as a team to play to win."

The Wizards - last in the Eastern Conference - have plenty at stake for Friday's game against Orlando even with the season well out of hand. Washington has lost its first three meetings with the Magic this season - part of its 0-13 record in the Southeast Division. No team has gone winless in its division since the NBA realigned in 2004-05.

Jamison expects the Magic to attack with a sense of urgency because they rank third in the Eastern Conference and trail Boston for second place by 1 1/2 games.

"Motivation's not a problem for me," Jamison said. "Even though our season hasn't gone the way we wanted, teams are coming after us, seeing us as a game they should easily win. These teams are bringing their 'A' games, so we should, too."

NEW ORLEANS Hornets at WASHINGTON Wizards

When: Wednesday, 7 p.m. | Where: Verizon Center | TV/radio: CSN, ESPN 980

Probable starters: Hornets - F Julian Wright, F David West, C Tyson Chandler, G Rasual Butler, G Chris Paul. Wizards - F Dominic McGuire, F Antawn Jamison, C Darius Songaila, G Caron Butler, G Mike James.

Injuries: Hornets - Out: G/F Peja Stojakovic (back), G/F Mo Peterson (foot). Wizards - Out: G DeShawn Stevenson (back), G Gilbert Arenas (knee), C Etan Thomas (knee), Brendan Haywood (wrist).

Notes - The Wizards return to Verizon Center for the first time in five games with a chance to win back-to-back games for only the third time this season. A familiar face also will return to Verizon Center; former Wizards guard Antonio Daniels serves as Chris Paul's backup. Since the Wizards traded him to New Orleans 41 games ago, Daniels has averaged 4.1 points and 2.6 assists in 13.3 minutes a night. The Hornets had won seven straight before falling to Atlanta on Monday and stand a half-game back of Utah and Portland for the fourth spot in the Western Conference entering Tuesday night.