<span class="main"><span class="spacing"> <div align="center"> @ (0-2) @ (1-1) Date: 11/3/07 Time: 7:00 pm TV: CSN Projected Starters Celtics Starting Lineup (J. Nelson, K. Bogans, H. Turkoglu, R. Lewis, D. Howard)</div> 2007-08 Magic Stats Leading Scorer: Rashard Lewis - 23.5 PPG Leading Rebounder: Dwight Howard - 12.5 RPG Leading Assist Man: Jameer Nelson - 6.5 APG Points Per Game: 96.0 Field Goal Percentage: 43% 3-Point Field Goal Percentage: enough to blow us out Rebounds Per Game: 38.0 Assists Per Game: 15.5 <div align="center"> <font color="black">PG - Jameer Nelson - PPG: 8.5, APG: 6.5, RPG: 2.5 SG - Keith Bogans - PPG: 10.0, RPG: 2.00, APG: 0.5 SF - Hedo Turkoglu - PPG: 20.5 RPG: 5.0, APG: 2.5 PF - Rashard Lewis - PPG: 23.5, RPG: 4.5, APG: 0.5 C - Dwight Howard - PPG: 16.0, RPG: 12.5, APG: 1.5</font> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wizards Starting Lineup (G. Arenas, D. Stevenson, C. Butler, A. Jamison, B. Haywood)</div> 2007-08 Wizards Stats Leading Scorer: Gilbert Arenas - 27.5 PPG Leading Rebounder: Antawn Jamison - 18.5 RPG Leading Assist Man: Gilbert Arenas - 3.0 APG Points Per Game: 96.5 Field Goal Percentage: 35.5% 3-Point Field Goal Percentage: Hahaha...wait, they can score three's? Rebounds Per Game: 50.5 Assists Per Game: 13 <div align="center"> <font color="blue">PG - Gilbert Arenas - PPG: 27.5, APG: 3, RPG: 6.5 SG - Deshawn Stevenson - PPG: 4.5, APG: 2, RPG: 1 SF - Caron Butler - PPG: 18.5, RPG: 9.5, APG: 0.5 PF - Antawn Jamison - PPG: 18.5, RPG: 13, APG: 1 C - Brendan Haywood - PPG: 10.0, RPG: 12.5, APG: 1.5</font> ------------------------ Keys to the Game <font color="blue">Lock On To The Basket from the tip-off - I don't remember the last time the Wizards shot 0-16 from 3 point land, but I don't want to see it anymore. There's way too much talented shooters on this team to make us rather one of the best 3 point shooting teams in the league. The Wizards need to focus on moving the ball around, running the princeton some more. Hell, even look to feed the ball to the post to, make some open room around the perimeter. Defend The Pick n Roll - I don't think I could've counted how many times the Celtics have gotten open jumpers from guys on the Wizards not being able to help on the screens and defend the pick n rolls. Orlando's got two real talented big guys in Rashard Lewis and Dwight Howard, so the post players need to know what to do in those situations to ensure that we can limit their offense. The Takeover: Reloaded - It's the home opener, it's going to be sold out. The least you guys can do is give your full effort for the fans that have waited all summer long for you guys to play again. Hustle plays, second chance opportunities and running on the break will certainly get the fans supportive and excited during the game. Make sure, you guys get the fans to cheer about something.</font> <font color="black">Control the Paint - Wizards' forward Brendan Haywood looks to have stepped up and make an impact, but Dwight Howard is one of a kind t be reckoned in the future. From the positives that the Wizards have gotten out of these 2 losses, is the play from Brendan Haywood who has not been slacking off when it comes to grabbing rebounds. It will be a good matchup to watch, but this will be an area Orlando needs to focus on. Disrupt The Offense- The Wizards couldn't have looked any uglier when having the ball in their hands last night and Orlando's going to want to keep it that way. If they don't perform brain surgery on Eddie Jordan's head from now til gametime, expect very little playcalling and numerous iso plays, that will lead to bad shots. Orlando needs to ensure that they protect the perimeter, to leave the Wizards puzzling with what can work on offense. Shoot from the 3 - Randy Ayers in his first two games has shown absolutely no improvement to the team defense and unless he pulls out his master plan, Stan Van Gundy might want to explore the ball to Turkoglu and Lewis' hands in the perimeter, not to mention the bench that contains Keyon Dooling, Pat Garrity and JJ Redick...I can smell breakout games for these guys.</font></div> </span></span></p>
Hopefully home will bring some sort of offense to our team. Our offense has been very shaky through the past 2 games and defensively we have hardly improved. One thing that's disturbing me is the very large lack of transition buckets which was our bread and butter last season. This needs to improve if we hope to compete for the division this season. I'm hoping for the Wizards to bounce back but the way this team has looked the past 2 games, I wouldn't keep my fingers crossed.</p>
Wizards started off slow last year, and I wouldn't be surprised if they lose again to the Magic. The Wizards have an advantage in the backcourt, but the Magic have the edge inside, and usually that wins out.</p> Not having Etan Thomas available has been a setback for the Wizards in their first two games. I'm not sure he would have made a significant difference in the Celtic game, but he's someone who can at least compete against KG and make it a little tougher on him.</p> He would have definitely made a difference in the Indiana game by slowing David Harrison down.</p> They will really miss him in this game with Dwight Howard in the post.</p> Gilbert is 1-13 from behind the arc after 2 games Caron is averaging 7.5 turnovers a game after 2 games</p> I don't expect those two guys to play this bad the rest of the year, but right now I think Orlando has the confidence and hunger to come in and send a message to a Division opponent.</p>
Shapecity, you have to understand that these are the Wizards. We might lose to the worst team in the league one night then dominate the best the next night. You never know what to expect from this team, it all depends wether our shots are falling. Even if we fall a good 5-6 games below .500 in the early portion of the season, I won't be worried at all because I know this team can bounce back as they have done the past 2-3 years.</p> </p> Also, Wizards are much better at home like every other team in the NBA.</p>
The Wizards do not look good at the half, defense is non-existent as it has been for the past couple of years but now the Wizards are struggling scoring the ball as well so our previous strategy of out-scoring our opponents isn't working. It's very hard to watch Rashard Lewis hit three after three. This team needs to play the transition game, it was our bread and butter last season and we haven't capitalized on it yet this season. Brendan Haywood has been the only highlight, he's been playing terrific basketball and looks great on the floor. 50-42 Magic at halftime.</p>
Wizards lose again, Arenas with another poor game. 5-15 from the field and 0-4 from behind the arc. ZERO free throw attempts.</p>
I can't believe this, thisWizards team looks awful. We haven't improved on defense and are hard to watch offensively. Caron Butler and Brendan Haywood have been the only 2 impressive players. Eddie Jordan had some awful decision making tonight, Darius Songaila may have one of the lowest basketball IQ's in the NBA, and can this team not make stupid turnovers. Wizards fall to 0-3. Very furstrating season so far.</p>
