<div align="center"> <span style="font-size:24pt;line-height:100%">@</span> November 1, 2006 - 8:00 pm ETGame aired on ESPN</div> <span style="color:#3333FF">Washington Wizards</span> <span style="color:#996633">(0-0)</span><span style="color:#996633">PG</span> <span style="color:#3333FF">Gilbert Arenas</span> <span style="color:#996633">SG</span> <span style="color:#3333FF">DeShawn Stevenson</span> <span style="color:#996633">SF</span> <span style="color:#3333FF">Caron Butler</span> <span style="color:#996633">PF</span> <span style="color:#3333FF">Antawn Jamison</span> <span style="color:#996633">C</span> <span style="color:#3333FF">Etan Thomas</span> <span style="color:#996633">Key Bench Players:</span> <span style="color:#3333FF">Jarvis Hayes, Antonio Daniels, Brendan Haywood, Michael Ruffin, Donell Taylor, Andray Blatche</span> <span style="color:#990000">Cleveland Cavaliers</span> <span style="color:#CC9933">(0-0)</span><span style="color:#CC9933">PG</span> <span style="color:#990000">Eric Snow</span> <span style="color:#CC9933">SG</span> <span style="color:#990000">Larry Hughes</span> <span style="color:#CC9933">SF</span> <span style="color:#990000">LeBron James</span> <span style="color:#CC9933">PF</span> <span style="color:#990000">Drew Gooden</span> <span style="color:#CC9933">C</span> <span style="color:#990000">Zydrunas Ilgauskas</span> <span style="color:#CC9933">Key Bench Players:</span> <span style="color:#990000">Donyell Marshall, Anderson Varajoe, David Wesley, Scott Pollard, Shannon Brown, Daniel Gibson, Damon Jones</span> Injury Report<span style="color:#996633">WAS:</span> <span style="color:#3333FF">Darius Songaila will not play (out 4 months with herniated disc surgery)</span> Who To Watch Out For<span style="color:#3333FF">Gilbert Arenas</span><span style="color:#996633">Last Season's Stats: 29.3 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 6.1 apg, 2.0 spg</span><span style="color:#3333FF">Arenas has proved himself to be one of the NBA's best guards. He was 4th in scoring last year and he lead the Wizards to the playoffs (where, they ironically lost to the Cavaliers in 6 games). He is an unbelievable offensive player, and he can put up however many points he wants on almost any given night.</span><span style="color:#3333FF">Antawn Jamison</span><span style="color:#996633">Last Season's Stats: 20.5 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 1.2 apg</span><span style="color:#3333FF">Jamison fell short of the All-Star game last year, but he played like one. 20 and 9 don't tell the full story. He can shoot as well and play some SF, he's a solid ballhandler for a PF, he's strong, and he 's a very hard worker. He has established himself as one of the top PF's in the East, and I think he's very underrated as a player.</span><span style="color:#3333FF">Caron Butler</span><span style="color:#996633">Last Season's Stats: 17.6 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 2.5 apg, 1.7 spg</span><span style="color:#3333FF">Caron Butler is on the rise, and I think he's going to be an All-Star in this league. He is a guy that can put up 20 a night, he's a terrific defender, he's a good rebounder, and he's an explosive athlete. What I like the most about Caron is the story behind him. By age 15, he was arrested 15 times, but he shaped up and turned his life around. Look at him now. I have nothing but respect with the way he controlled his life and completely turned it around.</span><span style="color:#990000">LeBron James</span><span style="color:#CC9933">Last Season's Stats: 31.4 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 6.6 spg, 1.6 spg</span><span style="color:#990000">LeBron James is nothing short of an absolute phenom. A player like LeBron only comes around once or twice in a lifetime. But LeBron really can do it ALL - 2nd leading scorer last year, getting 7 and 7, he's a freak athlete, 6'8'' 240, strong as a bull, very fast, durable, developing into a good leader, hits big shots. I mean the only thing he can't do is shut someone down defensively, but he is improving. That's one thing about LeBron, he's always improving due to his great work ethic. LeBron is the favorite to win MVP this year, and I have him down for winning it as well.</span><span style="color:#990000">Larry Hughes</span><span style="color:#CC9933">Last Season's Stats: 15.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 3.6 spg, 1.5 spg in 36 games</span><span style="color:#990000">Hughes was bit by the injury bug last year, but returned in time for the playoffs. But when he's healthy he's an excellent player to have. He is a good defender, he can play both guard positions and defend SF's, he's a decent shooter, he's a good passer, and he's easy to get along with. Cleveland won 50 games last year, now add a healthy Larry Hughes that number could go up by a nice margin.</span><span style="color:#990000">Zydrunas Ilgauskas</span><span style="color:#CC9933">Last Season's Stats: 15.6 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 1.7 bpg</span><span style="color:#990000">Big Z is getting older, but he's still a top 10 center in the league. His insane size of 7'3'' 260 lbs is a great advantage, he can shoot the mid-range jumper, he has some finesse post moves, he's a good shot blocker, and he's an awesome offensive rebounder. He may be getting a little odler, but he's stayed extremely healthy the past 4 years.</span>Rookie Watch <span style="color:#CC9933">CLE:</span> <span style="color:#990000">Shannon Brown</span><span style="color:#000000">Overall Selection: 25</span><span style="color:#CC9933">The Scoop:</span> <span style="color:#990000">Brown is an incredibly explosive athlete, can score in transition, solid shooter, solid defender, can play both SG and PG, burst of energy.</span> <span style="color:#CC9933">CLE:</span> <span style="color:#990000">Daniel Gibson</span><span style="color:#000000">Overall Selection: 42</span><span style="color:#CC9933">The Scoop:</span> <span style="color:#990000">Gibson was a steal at 42. He can score/shoot, he's quick, he's smart, and he can handle running an offense. Pretty solid defender as well.</span> <span style="color:#3333FF">Washington's X-Factor</span><span style="color:#3333FF">Jarvis Hayes</span><span style="color:#996633">Last Season's Stats: 9.3 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 1.3 apg in 21 games</span><span style="color:#3333FF">The scoring of Jarvis Hayes off the bench is huge for Washington, and he was missed last year. He's been battling injuries the past 2 years, and is often a forgotten name. When he's healthy, he can light up a scoreboard. I hope he comes back and has a healthy year. But tonight, he needs to come in and put up some points for the Washington bench, he can score on any Cleveland guard off the bench (he has a size advantage and skill advantage).</span> <span style="color:#990000">Cleveland's X-Factor</span><span style="color:#990000">Drew Gooden</span><span style="color:#CC9933">Last Season's Stats: 10.7 ppg, 8.4 rpg</span><span style="color:#990000">Drew Gooden is underrated, IMO. He's a pretty inconsistant offensive player, but he rebounds each and every night. He really knows how to grab them boards, and he has a terrific nose for the ball. If he can come in and grab 9 or 10 rebounds tonight, that will be key for Cleveland, seeing how Washington is just an average rebounding team.</span> Key Matchup vs. <span style="color:#3333FF">Gilbert Arenas</span> <span style="color:#000000">vs.</span> <span style="color:#990000">Larry Hughes</span><span style="color:#000000">Hughes may be a SG, but he will step out to cover Arenas for a good part of the game. Hughes is a good defender, Arenas is an excellent scorer. Plus, these two developed a friendship in Washington, and both want to show up one another.</span> CelticBalla's Extra Thoughts/NotesI'm always excited to watch LeBron play, as the average fan is, but I like this matchup. Both teams give each other some matchup problems, and I always find a Cleveland/Washington matchup fun to watch. CelticBalla's PredictionIt will be a close game. Cleveland got better this summer, and so did Washington, and the Wizards are going to really want to win this game considering Cleveland eliminated them in the playoffs last year. I still say Cleveland wins and LeBron fills the stat sheet.
IM taking the Cavs on this one. Hughes was out last year in the playoffs and LeBron still managed a win over them.Reemeber LeBron is another year older just like very year he was in the NBA year by year he improves
I have LeBron and the Cavs tonight. I expect a big game from Big Z against the weaker interior of the Wizards, and I think that the homecrowd alongside a hyped up LeBron will be too much for the Wizards to overcome.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Pistonfan11 @ Nov 1 2006, 11:49 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I expect a big game from Big Z against the weaker interior of the Wizards</div>Did you say the same thing before the playoff matchup last season? Both Haywood and Thomas were able to use their strength, aggressiveness, and length to stop Ilgauskas last year, which was why he wasn't a factor. I expect no less tonight from the front-court. I'm interested in how LeBron will react with having 5 different witness tonight. Arenas took a shot at him defensively in the preseason contest and was able to contain him, not getting blown by for a dunk or a layup but just 12 points. With the Wizards' number 1 priority since day 1 of training camp being defense, and the progression they made during pre-season on the defensive end, I think they should be able to contain LeBron and force the Cavaliers to hit low-percentage shots.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Nitro1118 @ Nov 1 2006, 08:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Bron's playing well</div>LeBron is playing well, but how many dunks or layups has he had? Obviously you can tell the Wizards improved their defense during training camp. Caron Butler ever since the first pre-season game against the Raptors has been aggressive on defense. He's deflecting passes and converting them for fastbreak points.Gilbert Arenas needs to get into the game though. Free him up for some open shots and he'll make them.
Yeah, most of his shots have been jumpshots, so like Wade last night, that is encouraging and making him look even more unstoppable.Gilbert hasn't looked too good so far. A few assists, but shooting has been off.
Yes, even though they are giving up some points the Wizards D has been very active. They already have like 15 fast break point right? They are doing a great job of forcing turnovers but LeBron is still making his shots.Especially the mid-range ones Nitro.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ASUFan22 @ Nov 1 2006, 09:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Especially the mid-range ones Nitro. </div>Hey, Wade was hitting pretty much everything from the perimeter last night, too. These 2 really are getting up there with Kobe as most unstoppable scorers in league.
Man, the Wizards need to get the Cavs out of their shooting rhythm. They've done a great job protecting the paint, but it's been their shooting that has been getting them the lead.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ASUFan22 @ Nov 1 2006, 08:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Etan Thomas is having a pretty nice game. I always did like him.</div>That's what Eddie Jordan expected out of him when he chose him over Haywood. Etan has been active the entire game, scoring points off rebounds, blocking shots, STOPPING Ilgauskas, and being a Ben Wallace if you will, in the paint.
Yeah, he has had some very nice blocks. He's been very aggressive and has been getting some easy points. What is up with Arenas though? 0 points??? If he's going to cry about being underrated like Marion does then he needs to show how great he is.Cavs only winning by 2 at halftime. Good game to watch if you are not already.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ASUFan22 @ Nov 1 2006, 09:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Yeah, he has had some very nice blocks. He's been very aggressive and has been getting some easy points. What is up with Arenas though? 0 points??? If he's going to cry about being underrated like Marion does then he needs to show how great he is</div>I don't know. Maybe it's just one of those bad games. We all know he's a streaky shooter, and it's been showing. It's only one game though, give him time.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Larry Hughes @ Nov 2 2006, 12:30 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Boy did Larry Hughes have a GREAT Game!Proven all those haters wrong.</div> Like I've been saying, Larry Hughes coming back was the biggest thing nobody was talking about this offseason...if he continues to play like this Cleveland will be really tough.
I been saying it for ever, when he came to Cleveland I just wanted everone to see the real Larry.And tonight, they all were Hugheness...
Shut up....Lol, just kidding. Yeah, he was dominate out there. DeShawn Stevenson did everything he could though. He didn't give Larry any free shots or anything, Larry just had a great night out there.....just hope he breaks his hand or something.
