GT: Washington Wizards @ Memphis Grizzlies

GArenas · Nov 24, 2007

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November 24, 2007 @ 8:00pm ET
FedEx Forum(Memphis, TN)
CSN+

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Washington Wizards
(6-6)


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Memphis Grizzlies
(3-9)


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<h4 align="center">Projected Starters</h4>
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PG Daniels SG Stevenson

SF Butler PF Jamison C Haywood


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PGStoudamire SGNavarro 

SFMiller PFGay C Gasol

 
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<h4>Team Stats</h4>
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<td class="strong">Scoring</td>
<td>101.3 PPG (11th)</td>
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<td class="strong">Field Goal %</td>
<td>43.7% (20th)</td>
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<td class="strong">3-Point %</td>
<td>30.7% (28th)</td>
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<td class="strong">Rebounding</td>
<td>45.8 RPG (1st)</td>
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<td class="strong">Assists</td>
<td>20.3 APG (22nd)</td>
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<td class="strong">Scoring</td>
<td>103.2 PPG (8th)</td>
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<td class="strong">Field Goal %</td>
<td>46.2% (11th)</td>
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<td class="strong">3-Point %</td>
<td>38.2% (7th)</td>
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<td class="strong">Rebounding</td>
<td>42.0 RPG (20th)</td>
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<td class="strong">Assists</td>
<td>20.6 APG (14th)</td>
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<h4>Team Leaders</h4>
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<td class="strong">Scoring</td>
<td>Caron Butler (22.0 PPG)</td>
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<td class="strong">Rebounding</td>
<td>Antawn Jamison(9.9 RPG)</td>
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<td class="strong">Assists</td>
<td>Antonio Daniels (4.1 APG)</td>
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<td class="strong">Scoring</td>
<td>Rudy Gay(17.9 PPG)</td>
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<td class="strong">Rebounding</td>
<td>Mike Miller(7.6 RPG)</td>
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<td class="strong">Assists</td>
<td>Damon Stoudamire(4.1 APG)</td>
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<h4>Key Matchup
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Antawn Jamisonvs. RudyGay 

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Both players are having terrific seasons so far. Rudy Gay is leading his team in scoring and contributing on the boards. This production is very similar to what we get from Antawn Jamison. Jamison is coming off of a big 30/12 game against the Golden State Warriors and wants to continue his currenthot streak against a young, up-and-coming,agile, andathleticMemphis Grizzlies squad. While Rudy Gay wants to continue to establish himself as one of the leagues most talented players. Both will need to be big for their respective squads tonight.

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<h4>Keys to the Game</h4>
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<ul>[*]Perimiter Defense: Last night we let Stephen Jackson, Baron Davis, and other Warriors players reign it in from down town. It was hard to watch so many open three pointers fall. The Wizards had shownsignificantimprovement on the defensive end of the floor up until last night. I want to get back to our previous defensive schemes where we wouldn't see the other team have no problem raining it in from down town and if we do not it will be a long three months without Gil.
[*]Hit Your Free Throws: The Wizards couldn't buy a free throw from the Warriors. We shot a dismal 67% from the free throw line which was one of the biggest reasons we lost. The Wizards were having no problem getting to the free throw line either and once your there, you have to capitalize or you might as well be handing the game to your opponent in a package. 

[*]The Dynamic Duo: When Gilbert went down with injury, it was obvious that Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison would have to carry more of a scoring load and they have. These two have stepped up in a big way and need to continue to play great ball consistently for the next three months. Our role-players should be able to feed off of these two's energy and help the team out as well. Despite Gilbert out for 3 months, I'm very excited about this team because we have the leadership with these two, our role-players have never been this good, and we're actually playing defense. [/list]
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<ul>[*]The Boards: The Wizards have established themselves as one of the top rebounding teams in the NBA this year and no one can argue thatthe Wizhave a more dynamic offense than the Grizzlies even without Arenas. If the Grizzlies don't keep the rebounding battle close, it won't be a pretty sight.
[*]Gay/Gasol:TheGrizzlies lack a true point guard with Conley out thus their two "stars" will need todraw attention opening shots for the role-players. These two will need to come out of the gate hot sending a message to the Wizards that they need to be defended tightly. The Wizards have proven they're awful attrapping players and this will lead toopen looks for guys like Navarro and Stoudamire.
[/list]



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<h4 align="center">X-Factors</h4>
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Nick Young

Nick Young has proven that he'll be a terrific scorer in the future. His athletecism, wing-span, and speed make him a tough cover. He's alreadyhad twovery noticable performances against the Blazers and Warriors. Coming off the bench for the Wizards, he provides energy and a scoring boost thatthe Wizards have neededfor along time. He's had no problem getting to the free-throw line and has a dagger shot. If the Grizzlies don't defend him tightly, he will go off. 

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Juan Carlos Navarro

Navarro has proven already that he's got one of the sharpest jump shots in the NBA. He's an explosive guard who's already shown up in the clutch this season. The Wizards need to make sure not to let him get his three point shot in rythem. Navarro is also looking for some revenge. Rather than signing Navarro over the off-season, which the Wizards have had plans of doing for a couple years. The Wizards opted to sign Stevenson and trade Navarro. However, Navarro did end up playing on a team with his best friend. Still, I'm sure La Bomba wants to prove that the Wizards made a mistake.

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<h4 align="center">Injury Report </h4>
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Gilbert Arenas: Left Meniscus
Etan Thomas: Heart

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Mike Conley Jr.: Shoulder

Darko Milicic: Thumb
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<h4>Prediction</h4>
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Despite a tough loss at home against the Warriors, I think the Wizards will bounce back with a win on the road against a young, struggling, and in-consistent Grizzlies squad. Despite Gilbert being out, we've proved that we won't give up by winning 3/4 of our games without him. Should be a fun game to watch.

107-98 Wizards
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Note: The Statistics I have up for the team leaders are players playing tonight. So although Gilbert leads the Wizards in scoring, I have Caron up there. Expect me to do this through all my GT's.

GArenas · Nov 24, 2007

Very dissapointing performance by the Wizards. We played zero defense, this team is having no problem scoring the ball without Gilbert but we can't allow this many wide open looks. The Wizards couldn't buy a foul either, I try not to complain about ref's but it was very frustrating watching the inconsistency in calls tonight as a whole. Kyle Lowry and Juan Carlos Navarro couldn't be stopped. We were the better team even without Gilbert and it's frustrating to see this game slip away from us.

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GT: Washington Wizards @ Memphis Grizzlies

GArenas Wiz Fo Champz

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GT: Washington Wizards @ Memphis Grizzlies

GArenas Wiz Fo Champz

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