<div align="center">@ <font color="navy">The Washington Wizards (26-15)</font> @<font color="blue">The Orlando Magic (22-19)</font> Time: 7:00 PM Eastern Place: TD Waterhouse TV: Local</div> <div align="center"><font size="5"><font color="navy">Wizards Head Coach</font></font> <font color="navy">Eddie Jordan</font></div> <div align="center"><font size="5"><font color="navy"> Wizards Projected Starting Lineup</font></div></font> <div align="center"> <font color="navy">(Gilbert Arenas, Jarvis Hayes, Jared Jeffries, Antawn Jamison, Brendan Haywood) </font></div> <div align="center"><font size="5"><font color="blue">Magic Head Coach</font></font> <font color="blue">Johnny Davis</font></div> <div align="center"><font size="5"><font color="blue">Magic Projected Starting Lineup</font></font> <font color="blue">(Steve Francis, Doug Christie, Grant Hill, Dwight Howard, Kelvin Cato) </font> </div> <div align="center"><font size="5">Bench Factors</font> (<font color="navy">Juann Dixon</font>,<font color="blue">Hedo Turkoglu</font>) </div> <div align="center"><font size="5">Key Matchup</font> (<font color="navy">Gilbert Arenas</font>, <font color="blue">Steve Francis</font>)[/i] <font color="navy">Gilbert Arenas:</font> 23.8 ppg, 4.9 apg, and 4.1 rpg <font color="blue">Steve Francis:</font>21.6 ppg, 6.9 apg, and 6.4 rpg</div> <font size="5">Keys to the Game</font> <font color="navy">Washington:</font> <ul> [*]Keep Up the Play- The Wizards are playing some of the best ball in the league right now and are catching up to the Heat in their division, a loss to the Magic (also in the division) would be a major setback. [*]Arenas- Can he continue his rampage on opposing PGs? This should be a great matchup, two of the biggest and quickest pg's going at each other, Arenas needs to bring his scoring, passing, defensive, and rebounding game in this one. [*]Strong Game from AJ- Jamison. He needs to have a good game, he is going up against a rookie, he should own him, take the kid to school, embarrass him, make him remember you. [/list] <font color="blue">Orlando:</font> <ul> [*]Stop Gilly- Gilbert Arenas has been on a tear with Larry Hughes out, for the Magic to win they need to force him to take bad shots and make bad passes. [*]Tear it Up at the SG Spot- The Wizard's best defender is out, tear them a new hole at that position, they have shown no ill effects of losing Hughes yet, the Magic could really benefit from that. [*]Stevey Franchise- The Franchise needs to get his teammates involved early and often. There is no reason why he shouldn't get atleast 10 assists in this game. Look to get teammates involved early..and often. [/list] <font size="5"> Prediction</font> Washington has been on a tear lately, they have the second best record in the East and are creeping up on Miami for the best record in the East, I expect Washington to win...and they will..by atleast 7.
It was a good game for both teams What was wierd to watch was the two teams were just alike fast paced and gives up alot of points. You could tell since Huges is out they have some defense gone and scoring option gone as AJ had the ball alot and same w/ Arenas. I loved PG's play faked everyone out instead of shooting a 3 he drove and got an and 1. Hedo is still impressing and Hill looked young. Stevio had a bad night but put up 9 assists and Big Dwight had a nice night including the first 6 points for Orlando. The only call i dissagre with the refs not making if when Peeler steped out of bounds and pass it to Arenas and he got fouled on the 3 (he missed 2-3 fts) but it was a clear call and the audence saw it so what happened to the ref there he was calling alot of fouls on Battie down there?
Francis is having an amazing night. That left handed-switch in midair layup to end the half was great. Looks like Magic will win this one.
This was the thread for ysterday's game, but today, Arenas was alone out there, Francis was toying with Dixon, and Hill with Jared Jefferies. Arenas was playing his heart out, but no one else came to battle. Etan Thomas was bricking all over, Brendan Haywood couldn't mae a free throw, and Jarvis Hayes has an injury on his shooting hand, and was off all night. The Wizards should've had it, but they let it slip away, tough loss. Good games by Arenas, Francis, and Hill.
