<div align="center"> Time: 7:00 PM Eastern Place: The MCI Center TV: Local <font size="5">Team Records</font> <font color="blue">Washington: 19-13</font> <font color="darkred">Portland: 15-18</font></div> <div align="center"><font size="5"><font color="blue">Wizards Head Coach</font></font> <font color="blue">Eddie Jordan</font></div> <div align="center"><font size="5"><font color="blue"> Wizards Projected Starting Lineup</font></div></font> <div align="center"> <font color="blue">(Gilbert Arenas, Larry Hughes, Jared Jeffries, Antawn Jamison, Brendan Haywood) </font></div> <div align="center"><font size="5"><font color="darkred">Blazers Head Coach</font></font> <font color="darkred">Maurice Cheeks</font></div> <div align="center"><font size="5"><font color="darkred">Blazers Projected Starting Lineup</font></font> <font color="darkred">(Damon Stoudamire, Nick Van Exel, Ruben Patterson, Zach Randolph, Joel Przybilla)</font> </div> <div align="center"><font size="5">Bench Factors</font> (<font color="blue">Jarvis Hayes</font>,<font color="darkred">Derek Anderson</font>) </div> <div align="center"><font size="5">Key Players</font> (<font color="blue">Gilbert Arenas</font>, <font color="darkred">Zach Randolph</font>) <font color="blue">Gilbert Arenas:</font> 22.5 ppg, 4.1 apg, and 5.0 rpg <font color="darkred">Zach Randolph:</font> 20.4 ppg, 10.4 rpg, and 2.1 apg</div> <font size="5">Keys to the Game</font> <font color="blue">Washington:</font> <ul> [*]Arenas and Hughes- Arenas and Hughes have to both go at Damon Stoudamire and Nick Van Exel, with them having the big size advantage, they need to take it at them, and take advatage of them while they're on. [*]Good Start- The Wizards currently have momentum, and they need to carry it on into this game. Everyone needs to come out and get the lead early, and just worry about maintaining it the rest of the way. [*]Hold it down Defensively- Some players aren't defensive players, so their's no expectation of Jamison stopping his man, but he can put the effort, and at least contest shots. Arenas and Hughes need to play their pressure defense, get at the ball handlers, and force some turnovers. [/list] <font color="darkred">Portland:</font> <ul> [*]Zach Randolph- The Blazers will be looking for a big game for Zach Randolph who should go at Jamison or Jared Jefferies all day. The Wizards are without Kwame who would be able to take it to Randolph, so with that he needs to be active offensively and take the ball inside limiting the mid-range jumpshots. [*]Slow Down the Tempo- The Blazers need to aviod getting into a running game with the Wizards because they will not win that way. They need to slow the game down and play at their own pace in order to have any chance of success. [*]Bench Play- The Blazers need some solid contribution from their bench in this game. Derek Anderson needs to come on and provide some scoring off the bench, and Theo Ratliff's interior presence will be needed in off the bench [/list] <font size="5">Keys to the Game</font> <font color="blue">Washington:</font> <ul> [*]Arenas and Hughes- Arenas and Hughes have to both go at Damon Stoudamire and Nick Van Exel, with them having the big size advantage, they need to take it at them, and take advatage of them while they're on. [*]Good Start- The Wizards currently have momentum, and they need to carry it on into this game. Everyone needs to come out and get the lead early, and just worry about maintaining it the rest of the way. [*]Hold it down Defensively- Some players aren't defensive players, so their's no expectation of Jamison stopping his man, but he can put the effort, and at least contest shots. Arenas and Hughes need to play their pressure defense, get at the ball handlers, and force some turnovers. [/list] <font color="darkred">Portland:</font> <ul> [*]Zach Randolph- The Blazers will be looking for a big game for Zach Randolph who should go at Jamison or Jared Jefferies all day. The Wizards are without Kwame who would be able to take it to Randolph, so with that he needs to be active offensively and take the ball inside limiting the mid-range jumpshots. [*]Slow Down the Tempo- The Blazers need to aviod getting into a running game with the Wizards because they will not win that way. They need to slow the game down and play at their own pace in order to have any chance of success. [*]Bench Play- The Blazers need some solid contribution from their bench in this game. Derek Anderson needs to come on and provide some scoring off the bench, and Theo Ratliff's interior presence will be needed in off the bench [/list] <font size="5"> Prediction</font> Washington is on a 4 game winning streak, and they aren't to be stopped now. Portland will have a hard time matching Washington's offensive output, and the Wizards will take this one 106 - 98.
Props for making the preview man, I didn't have time to do it yesterday, and when I got home from school today I saw it made..so thanks.. I think the Wizards can easily win this game, and they will. Arenas will have another big game, I take the Wizards by 7+.
Man, definately didn't think the game would be this close, Van Exel was big for them, and they were up by 1 with about 36 seconds left. The Wizards hung on, and they also got a steal at the end of the game and sealed it. Great games by Arenas and Hughes, they just played extremely well, Jamison was horrible, but hit an important shot down the stretch. Ruffin with the dunk? Haywood also had a nice game with 13-9 and 3 blocks.
The wizards win in a thriller! I got so happy when Gilbert made that inbounds steal, I knew it was over after that. What we have to work on though is freethrow shooting. They shot so poorly out there with 46 percent, when I know they can shoot better at the line. Arenas and Hughes will a great game once again with 20+ points.
Yea, great end, Portland was up one, we scored, then Gil stole the inbounds pass and scored. Portland then started fouling for the next 30 seconds.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> WASHINGTON (Ticker) -- The Washington Wizards built a double-digit lead with steals and fast-break baskets. Gilbert Arenas gave them the win in similar fashion. Arenas made a steal and breakaway dunk with 20 seconds to play, lifting the Wizards to their fifth straight win, a 104-100 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. </div> <div align="center">Wizards/Blazers Recap Wizards/Blazers Box Score </div>
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting og15:</div><div class="quote_post">Man, definately didn't think the game would be this close, Van Exel was big for them, and they were up by 1 with about 36 seconds left. The Wizards hung on, and they also got a steal at the end of the game and sealed it. Great games by Arenas and Hughes, they just played extremely well, Jamison was horrible, but hit an important shot down the stretch. Ruffin with the dunk? Haywood also had a nice game with 13-9 and 3 blocks.</div> That was nuts, Ruffin not only dunked it but he drove the lane to do it & he got fouled with no call. The entire Wizard bench was up going crazy. What's even crazier is as poor as we were shooting freethrows last night, Ruffin made both of his.
