Wizards Top Heat to Clinch Playoff Spot

Caron Butler scored 29 points and the Washington Wizards beat the Miami Heat 109-95 on Friday night to clinch a playoff spot for the fourth straight season. It's the first time the team has qualified for the playoffs in four consecutive seasons since it made five straight appearances from 1983-88.

The woeful Heat set a franchise record with 19 3-pointers and still couldn't beat the Wizards, who were without Antawn Jamison for the first time this season. Jamison, who averages 21.5 points and a team-leading 10.2 rebounds a game, was sidelined with a sprained right shoulder. Darius Songaila, who started in Jamison's place, had 12 points, eight rebounds and five assists. Andray Blatche had 17 points.