<div align="center"> Time: 7:00 PM Eastern Place: The MCI Center Center TV: Local <font size="5">Team Records</font> <font color="navy">Washington: 21-13</font> <font color="orange">Phoenix: 31-6</font></div> <div align="center"><font size="5"><font color="orange">Suns Head Coach</font></font> <font color="orange">Mike D'Antoni</font></div> <div align="center"><font size="5"><font color="orange"> Sun's Projected Starting Lineup</font></div></font> <div align="center"> <font color="orange">(Leandro Barbosa, Quentin Richardson, Joe Johnson, Shawn Marion, Amare Stoudemire) </font></div> <div align="center"><font size="5"><font color="navy">Washington Head Coach</font></font> <font color="navy">Eddie Jordan</font></div> <div align="center"><font size="5"><font color="navy">Wizard's Projected Starting Lineup</font></font> <font color="navy">(Gilbert Arenas, Larry Hughes, Jared Jeffries, Antawn Jamison, Brendan Haywood)</font> </div> <div align="center"><font size="5">Bench Factors</font> (<font color="orange">Casey Jacobsen</font>,<font color="navy">Jarvis Hayes</font>) </div> <div align="center"><font size="5">Key Players</font> (<font color="orange">Amare Stoudemire</font>, <font color="navy">Gilbert Arenas</font>) <font color="orange">Amare Stoudemire:</font> 26.0 ppg, 1.0 apg, and 8.6 rpg <font color="navy">Gilbert Arenas:</font>23.2 ppg, 5.0 apg, and 4.1 rpg</div> <font size="5">Keys to the Game</font> <font color="orange">Phoenix:</font> <ul> [*]Feed Amare- There is no way that Jamison will be able to stop Stoudemire, so feed him constantly and let him pound it in. [*]Without Nash- They were massacred by the Pacers last night without Nash, how will they fair without him in this game? [*]Attack on the Perimeter- Joe, Richardson, and Marion are all capable of hitting from deep, if they can get this going early, they will win this one... [/list] <font color="navy">Washington:</font> <ul> [*]Big 3- How will the big 3 matchup against Phoenix's fantastic four? Arenas, Hughes, and Jamison all need to bring their A games in this one for Washington to win. [*]Come out Stronger- Come out stronger than the Suns in this one. They are both coming off games last night, games in which Washington won and Phoenix lost. We need to get the crowd behind us and feed off of that energy. [*]Arenas- With Nash most likely out of the game, Barbosa is going to be in. Arenas is much stronger than him and will need to use that for an advantage. [/list] <font size="5"> Prediction</font> You know, Washington is coming off another huge win and Phoenix is coming off of two losses, a game to Indiana and Steve Nash. I think Washington will win this one now, I take Washington in a very high scoring game...111-108.
This game should be pretty good, but didnt they say that Barbosa was a little banged up also and he might not play too? But anyways this will be a pretty good game for the Wizards and they should win if the Big 3 can step it up like you said. Suns Wizards 100 103
With the Wizards on a hot streak and the Suns are without Steve Nash, I think the Wizards can pull this one away. Larry Hughes and Gilbert Arenas with 20+ points. My Prediction: Wizards: 94 Suns: 81
The key to this game is the missing of Steve Nash, I think that will open it up for Gilbert, and he will have an easier time getting to the bucket. Arenas will destroy Barbosa. This will be a great game, and like K8B said a high scoring one. I think all three of the big three will score atleast 20 with Gilbert outscoring them all like usual. I think the Wiz will pull away with this one in a 106-104 game. I am going to try and get tickets from a scalper or just from the box office.
If Steve Nash is there and fine, I'll say the Suns take this 119 - 114. If Nash isn't playing in the game, and considering the Suns have no other PG [Barbosa isn't a PG], I'll take us winning 111 - 100. Barbosa is 10 times the defender Nash is, he's got quick hands, he's got a 6'10 - 6'11 wingspan at 6'3 ish, and he's got quick feet. Offensively though he can't bring the ball up againt pressure, so the Wizards should play their pressure defense, and Barbosa can't really run an offense and isn't a playmaker. The Suns should've gotten someone like Brevin Knight then they'd just be killer.
I think I take the Wizards in this one. Having Steve Nash out of this game is a big plus for the Wizards. Nash is definitely the star player over in Pheonix, putting up MVP numbers and is basically the best pointguard in the league this season. Pheonix will easily miss his play, but they still have a lot of scoring threats with Amare, JJ, Q-Rich, and Marion. I think the Wizards big 3 of Jamison, Gilbert, and Hughes have big games to win this one for the Wizards. Suns-95 Wizards-100 The Wizards hand the Suns with their 3rd straight loss.
I think it will be the usual. Wiz will jump out to a decent lead and give it up like always...this team can't keep a lead. Richardson will probably hit about 12 3's, but I do think the Wiz can pull this off if they play tough D and the Big 3 score 20+. Thats the only way tho. If all I said happens I'll take the Wiz 107-100
I missed the first half, but started watching 2nd half, so far not to good, the Wizards are playing Suns basketball, and won't win that way. The Suns have made a little run and are up 68-62 right now...
That was the greatest game I've seen in my life, Juan Dixon as much as I hate on him has just been amazing lately, he did this in Milwaukee too, and again today, he was just clutch, he made shots, layups, free throws, and even had the steal and dish to Hughes for the dunk down the stretch. Dixon won this game for us for sure. Arenas was also good down the stretch when he started driving and drawing fouls, but wow. You could see Phoenix struggling at the end, they had no playmaking, they just kept going to Joe Johnson. Q-Rich hit one mad three near the end, but man, GREAT GAME! 22-13, Go Wiz!
What a game, Wizard win their...7th in a row. We went on a 16-0 run in the 4th to secure this, thanks to Jaun...never thought I would say that. <div align="center"> <font size="1">Dixon had 26 pts and was key for the Wizards down the stretch</font></div> Suns/Wizards Box Score
I agree. What an outstanding game. I just finished watching it on my Tivo(had a Robotics Club Meeting). And BTW about the 12 3's, I was just meaning I thought a LOT of 3's would be made cuz someone always likes to go off on the Wiz. I was sortof wrong tho.
I think this game is a candidate for game of the year for the wizards. The crowd was so energetic, when the Wizards rallied back from 9 in the 4th quarter. This is a great win for sure.
