<div align="center">[/b] <font size="4"> <font color="DarkOrange">Knicks Starters</font></font> PG: Stephon Marbury SG: Jamal Crawford SF: Tim Thomas PF: Mike Sweetney C: Kurt Thomas <font color="Blue"><font size="3">Knicks Bench:</font></font> Trevor Ariza Maurice Taylor Malik Rose Jerome Williams Jermaine Jackson Jackie Butler Bruno Sundov Complete Knicks Stats <font size="4"> <font color="Blue">Wizards Starters</font></font> PG: Gilbert Arenas SG: Larry Hughes SF: Jarred Jeffries PF: Antawn Jamison C: Brendan Haywood <font color="Navy"><font size="3">Wizards Bench</font></font> Kwame Brown Etan Thomas Anthony Peeler Juan Dixon Steve Blake Larron Profit Complete Wizards Stats <font size="4"><font color="Red">Injuries:</font></font> <font color="DarkOrange">NYK:</font> 1. Allan Houston 2. Penny Hardaway <font color="Blue">WAS:</font> 1. Jarvis Hayes 2. Peter Ramos 3. Damone Brown 4. Michael Ruffin <font size="4"> <font color="Navy">Matchups:</font></font> vs. PG: This will definitely be a good one. We have Gilbert Arenas who is having somewhat of a break out year. Almost every single year has been that way for Arenas who dons #0 proudly. When Arenas was young, many of his friends said that he would never make it to the University of Arizona much less the NBA. They joked and said he would play 0 minutes on both levels. Arenas used that mocking as inspiration to improve his game. Now he ultimately gets the last laugh and saying ?I told you so? is useless?the jersey says it all! The 23 year old all-star will go head-to-head with Stephon Marbury an established name in the NBA. Both have similar games because of how they rely on their quickness, above-average ball handling, and explosiveness. They are excellent scorers and can also find the open man as well. They are both players to look out for in this matchup. vs. SG: Both Jamal Crawford and Larry Hughes have similar games because of their versatility. Both are combo guards and have good courtvision. Isiah Thomas has coveted Hughes this season and is looking for someone who can replace Houston. Larry Hughes unlike Crawford, is a lock-down defender?in fact, some have him winning the defensive player of the year award. Both however, shoot rather poorly from the field. Crawford is capable of exploding at anytime and I think playing his last game of the season (and maybe even his last game as a Knick) might stir up some fire in him. vs. SF: Again, this being the last game of the season could motivate Tim Thomas to play good basketball so maybe Isiah can reconsider trading away that humongous contract. Tim Thomas could dominate this matchup if he wants to, and I think he will. Jeffires is a bit skinny and Tim Thomas can outmuscle him quite easily if he decides to do something new and play smart basketball. We?ll just have to see. vs. PF: I think Sweetney will be at somewhat of a disadvantage because of Jamison?s quickness and athleticism, so most likely Thomas will play power forward. Kurt Thomas is a superb low post defender, but unlike the average power forward, Jamison has outstanding quickness and range that extends all the way to the 3 point line. An advantage for Kurt Thomas is Jamison?s lack of defense. With the pick and roll being in effect once again between Marbury and Thomas, the Knicks should be able to put points on the board very well. vs. C: Sweetney and Haywood in this one. Haywood is not really polished in the offensive department. Haywood is a good shotblocker and rebounder and unlike most players, Sweetney can?t outmuscle Haywood because of his nice body (no homo). It will be interesting to see who gets the best out of this one. I don?t know what else to say let the best man win? <font size="3"><font color="DarkOrange">Knicks Bench Summary</font></font> The deep Knicks bench will most likely be completely unloaded so expect to see Bruno, Butler and hopefully Ariza can log in some minutes. Taylor and Rose are deserving as well. I hope to see Jerome and Jermaine too. I hope to see (or listen) to the whole bench getting some burn today! <font size="3"><font color="Blue">Wizards Bench Summary:</font></font> The Wizards come in with youth off the bench with many role players such as Kwame Brown, Steve Blake, and Juan Dixon. They also have some veterans such as Anthony Peeler coming off the bench with some quick perimeter shooting. <div align="center"><font size="4"><font color="Green">Key Matchup:</font></font> No-Brainer vs. Stephon Marbury vs. Gilbert Arenas</div> <div align="center">Expect to see these two going at it constantly especially Marbury. This will be a good scoring matchup as two of the NBA?s best scorers go head to head in the Mecca of Basketball. The Garden crowd will be ooo?ing and aww?ing seeing some of their vintage playground moves.</div> <font size="4">My Prediction:</font> Guys, it?s been a long, bumpy ride through this disappointing season. It is finally over tonight against the playoff-bound Washington Wizards. Savor this game, some of these players that you see now, won?t be around for next season. Playing this final game of 04-05, will be the last Knick game you?ll see for the next 6 months. Enjoy!! I?m taking the Knicks in a 100-85 victory! Btw, I didn?t have enough time to make a real full in-depth preview, but wait until next year to see more! <font color="Red"><font size="4">Don?t Forget:</font></font> <font size="3">THIS GAME IS AT 7:30 EASTERN TIME!!! FOR THE FOLKS WHO CAN?T SEE IT, IT?S ON 1050 ESPN RADIO!!!</font>
I think we can win this one with general ease. IMO Gilbert will win the point guard battle since this is his season, and no one really seems to be able to control him. Haywood will be a monster on the boards, and show Sweetney how to do it(Sweetney reminds me of a young Haywood). I think Tim Thomas is the only Knick with a real advantage.
<font size="7">Halftime</font> Knicks 54 <font size="4">My Prediction:</font> Well we are playing our season finale and I'm sure the Knicks will come out with a trmendous amount of energy and heart. Right now, Toronto is getting their behinds handed to them by Cleveland so in order for us to have a higher position in the draft, the Knicks need to lose this game. I think they'll win 105-100 in a dramatic finale giving us 'hope' for next season. I want them to lose, but I think they'll win. We'll see what happens. This is the last mrj18 halftime show that you will see for the next 6 moinths!
I thought the Wiz had the game, but nope, they just let it slip down the stretch. It was more important for New York to lose though because with the win, they're now tied with the Raptors record wise, and will have to depend on the coin toss to see if they get the 7th or 8th pick in the draft.
