Washington (37-33) at Houston (31-40) 8:30 pm EST

HOUSTON (Ticker) -- The Washington Wizards proved Tuesday that they can win without their best player. They might have to do it again Friday.

The Wizards hope to have All-Star guard Gilbert Arenas back in the lineup when they take the court against the Houston Rockets, who are looking to build on perhaps their most impressive victory of the season.

Sitting out with the flu on Tuesday, Arenas watched as Washington recorded a 97-84 triumph over Sacramento. Caron Butler picked up the slack with 23 points and Antonio Daniels and Antawn Jamison each added 17 for the Wizards, who improved to 3-1 on their season-long six-game road trip.

The Wizards currently stand in fifth place in the Eastern Conference, leading Milwaukee by 1 1/2 games.

However, Washington is just 1-10 in its last 11 trips to Houston. The Rockets have won four of the last five meetings overall, including a 123-111 triumph in the nation's capital on January 3 behind 38 points from Tracy McGrady, who currently is sidelined with a back injury.

The Rockets enter this contest with momentum following their resounding 115-87 victory over Seattle on Wednesday. Yao Ming scored 29 points and Richie Frahm and Stromile Swift added 16 apiece for Houston, which embarks on a six-game road trip following Friday's game.