Jeffries provides huge tip

Because the numbers in the box score are in sharp contrast to what might be expected of someone like 6-foot-11 Jared Jeffries, it is easy to point an accusatory finger at him when things go wrong for the Washington Wizards.

But Jeffries’ teammates love to talk about what else he does to help. His box-score numbers were pedestrian again last night in the Wizards’ 96-89 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers, but this time everyone — from the coaching staff to the 15,275 fans at MCI Center — got a chance to appreciate a small, yet crucial, play from Jeffries.

With the Wizards (7-7) holding a four-point lead, Jeffries, the only Wizards’ starter who didn’t score in double figures (four points), tipped the ball out of the hands of Portland’s Zach Randolph with 22.9 seconds to play.

Jeffries’ defensive gem resulted in a fast break layup at the other end by Jarvis Hayes (13 points). Fouled on the play, Hayes converted the free throw for the final margin of victory.

“Jared’s stats don’t show up,” said teammate Gilbert Arenas, who finished with a game-high 28 points, five assists and four steals. “He doesn’t get a lot of credit for what he does.”

Arenas sounded much like coach Eddie Jordan does when discussing Jeffries, who is averaging the same amount of points (4.4) as he is rebounds. Jordan has stuck by his decision to keep Jeffries in the starting lineup because he is the guy who gets the toughest defensive assignment on most nights, having guarded players ranging from Tim Duncan to Kobe Bryant in his career.

Jeffries, for his part, never gets frustrated about how he is playing, mostly because he is comfortable in his role.

“I think that’s what I bring to this team,” Jeffries said. “We have guys who can score the ball. It’s just a matter of me coming in and doing things that they don’t do as well. It might mean guarding bigger guys, run the floor, rebound and run the floor. Stuff like that.”

The Wizards have struggled mightily since jumping to a 5-1 start. Last night’s win was just their second in eight games. And they almost found a way to lose to a Portland team that was playing its seventh road game in a row and has been away from home since Nov. 19.

Portland (5-9), routed by 24 points the night before in Philadelphia, looked every bit the exhausted and bad team it is in the fourth quarter, when it made just five of 18 field goals.

Still, the Blazers, who got 21 points from Darius Miles and 17 points, 15 rebounds and six blocks from Joel Przybilla, shot the ball better during the course of the game (45.8 percent) than Washington (37.5)

The Wizards got another outstanding performance from Antawn Jamison, who posted his sixth consecutive double-double (20 points and 15 rebounds).

Despite the ugliness of the win, Jordan was just happy with the outcome. He has been monitoring the frustration level of his team and knows that every win, aesthetics notwithstanding, is crucial.

“You talk to them about staying together, staying positive with positive energy and emotions,” Jordan said. “I know it’s tough when you’re not winning, especially when you have a lot of guys with playoff experience. We have to learn how to accept each other for our weaknesses and not so much for our strengths. The message is getting across slowly but surely.”

Perhaps the highlight of the game, at least for the fans, was the return to MCI Center of former Maryland stars and Wizards players Juan Dixon and Steve Blake. Dixon played 28 minutes and finished with 10 points; Blake, playing in his fourth game of the season, failed to score in slightly more than four minutes.

“They gave me some cheers, and I really appreciated it,” Dixon said. “I have a lot of love and support in this area, and I’m very grateful for that. Blake and I really enjoyed coming back, but we play to win, and unfortunately we didn’t get this one tonight.”

Note — Wizards forward Michael Ruffin was placed on the inactive list last night for the first time with right knee tendinitis.