<div align="center">VS <font color="Navy">The Washington Wizards (7-5)</font>@<font color="slategray">The New Jersey Nets (3-11)</font> Time: 7:00 PM Eastern Place: The MCI Center TV: Local</div> <div align="center"><font size="5">Nets Head Coach</font> Lawrence Frank</div> <div align="center"><font size="5">Nets Projected Starting Lineup</font></div> <div align="center"> Travis Best, Richard Jefferson, Eric Williams, Jason Collins, Alonzo Mourning</div> <div align="center"><font size="5">Wizards Head Coach</font> Eddie Jordan </div> <div align="center"><font size="5">Washington's Projected Starting Lineup</font> Gilbert Arenas, Larry Hughes, Jared Jeffries, Antawn Jamison, Brendan Haywood</div> <div align="center"><font size="5">Bench Factors</font> Brian Scalabrine(Nets), Jarvis Hayes(Wizards)</div> <div align="center"><font size="5">Key Players</font> (Richard Jefferson, Gilbert Arenas) <font color="slate_gray">Richard Jefferson:</font> 22.2 points per game, 3.8 assists per game, and 8.8 rebounds per game <font color="navy">Gilbert_Arenas:</font>20.8 points per game, 5.5 assists per game, and 2.9 rebounds per game</div> <font size="5">Keys to the Game</font> <font color="slate_gray">New Jersey:</font> <ul> [*]Expose Weakness- Washington's perimeter defense is horrible, if Richard Jefferson can take advantage of this then they will get half of what they need to win, its the key role players who need to hit shots on the perimter that are the key for NJ to win [*]Force Bad Shots- Arenas and Hughes are known to take bad shots. Pressure them and force them rush passes and take shots they do not want to take. [*]Keep Haywood in Check- I never thought I would be saying this about Brendan Haywood, but Mourning needs to keep him in check. He has had some awesome games for the Wizards this year and will look to have another one tonight. If the Nets cant keep him in check then it will be a long night for them. [/list] <font color="navy"> Washington:</font> <ul> [*]Run Through Antawn- They are a much better team when they let the offense run through Jamison, this game is no exception. Give him the ball early and often, I think he is stronger than Bosh and he can utilize that. [*]Consistant Play- One game Hughes will shoot the lights out, the next he wouldnt be able to throw a rock in the ocean. He is coming off of his best game as a pro and needs to stay consistent for the Wizards to win. We cant have him go 3-11 with his shots, we need atleast 45% shooting. [*]Guard Defense- This is huge for us, we need Arenas and Hughes to atleast attempt to play some defense. They have looked horrible this year and they need to get better, we cant get burned by Jefferson. [/list] <font size="5"> Prediction</font> Washingotn is clearly the better team, Washington is at home, Washington will win. Washington by atleast 5
Yeah, we'd better capture the 'W' here. I think that if the Wizards really want to be considered a good team, it's time to take out the 'Nets' of the world by at least 9-10pts. Time to put the trash out.
I don't see any way we should lose this game unless there's a total breakdown. Not because the Wizards are so good, or the Nets are so bad, but because the matchups are great for the Wizards. The Nets' first win in 10 games last night came against the Bobcats - because the Nets shot 53% and held Charlotte to 42% shooting. But the Wizards' weaknesses are that they are prone to turnovers (and the Nets are the worst team in the league in the TO department), that they have no post game (neither do the Nets) and that they have bad perimeter defense (the Nets have no good outside shooters, and are 29th in the league in 3 pt FG%).
Kwame Brown is back Kwame's playing his first game today against the Nets. Good to see him back on the court.
Washington totally dominated tonight and Larry Hughes locked down Richard Jefferson. Great game and glad to see Kwame and Eddie Jordan return. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> WASHINGTON (Ticker) -- Eddie Jordan's current squad is doing significantly better than his previous one. Gilbert Arenas scored a season-high 30 points as the Washington Wizards held the hapless New Jersey Nets to a franchise record-low 20 baskets in a 95-68 victory. </div> Full Recap NBA.com Boxscore
LArry Hughes was solid on the defense stealing the ball a bunch of times and grabbed a lot of rebounds. The wizards didn't allow 70+ in the game, which showed a lot. If the wizards keep playing like this, the wizards might find themselves deep in the playoffs for a while.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Kobe 8 Ball:</div><div class="quote_post">Can you tell me how big Kwame looked? I heard he made Alonzo look average...is that true?</div> Alonzo Mourning is average now. Alonzo cant finish plays like he use to around the rim. And now he is having his worst time shooting the ball in the mid-range area and free throw line because of an injured finger. And you top that off with his body isnt condition to play in back to back situations anymore and you get the struggles Zo had tonight. 2-6 from the field and 2-9 from the free throw line. Kwame & the Wizards defense gets a bit of credit but its more of Zo's up & down struggles in his return more than anything.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Henacy:</div><div class="quote_post">Alonzo Mourning is average now. Alonzo cant finish plays like he use to around the rim. And now he is having his worst time shooting the ball in the mid-range area and free throw line because of an injured finger. And you top that off with his bofy isnt condition to play in back to back situations anymore and you get the struggles Zo had tonight. 2-6 from the field and 2-9 from the free throw line. Kwame & the Wizards defense gets a bit of credit but its more of Zo's up & down struggles in his return more than anything.</div> You misunderstood my post, I meant big by how built he look...but I wouldnt credit Kwame for much in this game except for looking really great (from what I have heard) and banging down low and not being afraid of contacr. 6 points on 3-5 shooting before being ejected in 9 minutes....I expect a couple more games where he will see about 20 minutes and by mid december I think he will be back in a starter role.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Alonzo Mourning is average now. Alonzo cant finish plays like he use to around the rim. And now he is having his worst time shooting the ball in the mid-range area and free throw line because of an injured finger. And you top that off with his body isnt condition to play in back to back situations anymore and you get the struggles Zo had tonight. 2-6 from the field and 2-9 from the free throw line. Kwame & the Wizards defense gets a bit of credit but its more of Zo's up & down struggles in his return more than anything.</div> Size wise, not skill wise
That picture makes him look bigger. Posters at realgm say that he is now the second biggest man in the East. I am hoping its true, I would love to see him bang it out with Shaq.
