New Jersey Nets (9-7) vs Washington Wizards (2-12) Projected Starters Stats Streaks- Nets: W3 / Wizards: L2 Leading Scorers- Nets: Devin Harris (25.3 ppg) / Wizards: Caron Butler (21.6 ppg) Leading Rebounders- Nets: Josh Boone (7.4 rpg) / Wizards: Antawn Jamison (9.7 rpg) Assist Leaders- Nets: Devin Harris (6.4 apg) / Wizards: Caron Butler (3.9 apg) Field Goal Percentage- Nets: 44.7% / Wizards: 44.0% 3PT Percentage- Nets: 37.4% / Wizards: 28.7% Free Throw Percentage- Nets: 77.5% / Wizards: 75.1% Nets Keys to the Game -Bring the same intensity that we brought on the road trip. This may seem like an easy win on paper, but the Wizards are under a new head coach and seem determined to win. The Nets can't be overconfident in this game or they'll lose. -The Wizards are a horrible three point shooting team, unlike the Suns who burned the Nets time and time again from beyond the arc. Stop Jamison, Butler and co. from driving and let them shoot. A zone defense like the one Frank likes to use would work well here. -Protect the ball. Washington are among the league leaders in steals and their opponents' average amount of turnovers per game is an impressive 14.9. -Stay out of foul trouble. Lopez and Yi will be needed, as the Wizards don't really have anyone who can guard them. X Factor Vince Carter. He'll have the tough task of stopping Butler, but will also have to carry the load on offense with Harris as usual. Harris will be important, but VC's defense and offense will be determining factors in this game. Prediction Nets 106 - Wizards 93
swift might get sean's minutes in this game? http://www.nj.com/nets/index.ssf/2008/11/former_new_jersey_nets_assista.html
On paper, VC would match up with Stevenson as the opposing SG. Kobimel, you think Carter, rather than Simmons, will start out on Butler?
That means either blowout win or blowout loss. I'll be pleasantly surprised if Frank plays him in the close game.
hey , how do you know, don't worry. the best backcourt duo Vince Carter and Devin Harris would say No to him.
Dumpy's Key to the game: The first quarter. (I'll get there in a sec). Since two horrible losses in Game 5 and Game 7 (by a total of 45 points), the Wizards haven't played horribly. In their last seven games, they've been outscored by a total of just 23 points, yet their record is just 1-6. They've lost games by 4, 4, 5, and 7 points. Contrast that to the Nets, who seem to win all the close games these days. Here's the kicker: They are slow starters. In those seven games, they have fallen behind in the first quarter in five of them, by a total of 22 points--almost exactly the amount they've been outscored overall. Against Orlando, they fell behind by 13 after 1 quarter, only to lose by 15. Against the Knicks, they fell behind by six, only to lose by five. Against the Hawks, they fell behind by two, to lose by four. Against Miami, they fell behind by 6, to lose by seven. They exceptions: Against Atlanta in their last game, they fell behind by 11, but crawled back to lose by just four. Then there were two games they actually led after the first quarter: against Golden State (leading by 4, won by 24), and against Houston (leading by 12 (!), lost by 12). Those are the only two games all year they have led after the first quarter, and they won one of them. So the key is the first quarter. If the Nets can lead after one, it seems as though they will have an easier road the rest of the way. The Wizards seem incapabable of mounting a comeback, even when they are just down by a few points. Another key: The Wizards are the WORST three-point shooting team in the league. The Nets will, of course, give them open looks. If they hit their open three-point shots, the game could be close.
i dont see anyone on the wizards keeping up with Harris at all... we should take these guys but again we should not underestimate them(or anyone for that matter) I've seen McGee play, great hustler and leaper but not confident on the Defensive side of the ball so Lopez can abuse him cause McGee gets frustrated easily.... i would like to see Frank use Lopez in this game and see how it turns out(i'm going to keep advocating this till i see lopez own someone!)
I think we'll play the zone most of the time. But when we don't, I'd like to see Vince on Butler. He has proven time and time again this season that he's a good defender (see: Nets @ Lakers). Simmons, on the other hand, is decent in the zone but is a liability man-to-man.
Oh, make no mistake, I've been defending Vince's defense for years (not that he defends consistently but that he plays good defense in spurts or on big possessions and is adequate most of the rest of the time.) Since the Kidd trade, he's consistently played very good defense, occasionally making a stupid error or not hustling enough, but generally excellent. He always gets up for Bryant and does well against him defensively. It's just that I didn't think Butler is the kind of matchup that might cause cross matching to start the game. We'll see, but I predict Simmons on Butler to start.
I know you support VC's defense, I was just pointing it out as my reason for wanting him to guard Butler this time. We'll see, though.
