<div align="center"> @ </div> <div align="center">11/26/2006</div> <span style="color:#000099">Washington Wizards (4-9)</span> PG- Gilbert Arenas SG- DeShawn Stevenson SF- Caron Butler PF- Antawn Jamison C- Etan Thomas Key Bench Players: Antonio Daniels, Jarvis Hayes, Brendan Haywood. Injuries: Darius Songaila, Micheal Ruffin <span style="color:#CC0000">Atlanta Hawks (5-6)</span> PG- Cedric Bozeman SG- Joe Johnson SF- Josh Smith PF- Shelden Willams C- Zaza Pachulia Key Bench Players: Salim Stouadmire, Tyronn Lue. Injuries: Marvin Williams, Speedy Claxton, Lorenzen Wright. Last year this would have been a blow out in the favor of the Wizards however the tides have turned and both teams are going through quite a struggle at this point. Washington has yet to find a flow with their offense and still remains weak on the defensive end and Atlanta has been bitten by the injury bug. Hawks Keys to Victory Marvin Williams injury has made the Hawks resort to the use of Cedric Bozeman, although Arenas has not been playing as well of late there is no chance that Cedric Bozeman will be able to shut him down. Shelden Williams has shown up the past few games playing very nicely for a rookie. Joe Johnson although making some braneless errors against the Magic has continued to play well. Josh Smith has not been deliviring as of late being held to only 8 points against Orlando and only 11 against Toronto. However Zaza Pachulia should not have too much of a struggle against Etan Thomas, he will need to capatilize on this match up if they Hawks want a victory. Joe Johnson and Tyronn Lue need to play smart basketball, no bonehead passes. Washington has very little ability to rebound the ball effectively Hawks need to thrive in second chance points and hustle for rebounds. The Hawks may need to move around the matchup's to make sure that Arenas is guarded effectively. Wizards Keys to Victory The only player who has been consistent through out this season has been Caron Butler who dropped 24 points and 8 boards in Washington's loss to Detroit and he needs to continue this consitincy because there is no assurance that Jamison or Arenas will show up ready to play like they should be on Tuesday. The Wizards are off to a slow start of 4-9 however they have to realize that this is not the end, the season has just began and they have a easy week ahead of them. Arenas is being matched up against Cedric Bozeman, this should be a ticket to a big night for Gil who is playing very inconsitently this season. Jamison needs to come ready to play on tuesday, he doesn't have a hard match up of Shelden Williams. Etan Thomas needs to continue to crash the boards and play tough, he has improved in this alot since last year. This game is at Washington and the Wizards have won 4 of 6 at home. The Wizards need to snap this 4 game losing streak that has occured during the past week and win this game if they want to save the early part of their season. Predictions Arenas has an easy matchup and has performed a show every single home game so this should be a big game for him, not to mention he wants to prove himself after his three point game against the Grizzlies. This should be a decently close game however I think the Wizards will come away with a win and snap a 4 game losing streak. 102-93 Wiz
Great preview. Should be a pretty tight one. Neither team has been playing too well of late, but as always, both will be wanting this inter-divisonal game bad.
I think any Wizards fan would know that any team can beat the Wizards as long as they have a perimeter game going. Memphis wasn't so dominate in the paint against the Wizards, but guys like Miller, Atkins and Cardinal were able to shoot over their defenders and earn their shots. Just recently, the Pistons were shooting lights out from 3 point land against the Wizards led by Rip and Prince. The Rockets game, guys like Spanolous and Alston secured the win for the Rockets. What the Wizards have done great in the first 4 games of the season was that they established a transition game. Guys like Arenas and Butler would always make the defensive plays like deflecting passes and getting steals, and then leading the fastbreak for easy points. They haven't done a great job doing that in the road trip, but if they do that against the Hawks, they should be able to win.I know last year, we were 12-18 in late december and were able to come back, but if the Wizards lose to the Hawks, I'm probably going to convinced the Wizards will end up in the lottery this season.
