WizBlog RSS FeedTONIGHT: WIZARDS-PISTONS
By Shaun Fletcher
MORE: What You Need To Know
AUDIO: Dave Johnson’s Pre-Game Report
The Wizards will be at home Tuesday night to face a tough Eastern Conference match-up against the all-too-familiar Detroit Pistons.
Following last Friday’s 99-96 win in the motor city, Coach Eddie Jordan compared the game to a heavyweight prize fight, saying, “We took a Joe Frazier left hook, and we got right up. I know they are going to be ready for a rematch.” — Ding! Ding! – Well fight fans, three rounds are in the books and the bell is getting ready to sound to begin a fourth.
Tuesday night’s game will see the Wizards looking to even the season series at two games apiece. The last time these two teams squared off at the Verizon Center was back in November, with the Pistons winning a high scoring shootout 115-111. In that game, five Pistons scored in double figures, including Chauncey Billups with a game-high 29 points.
The Wizards squeaked out a tough win against the Pistons last time they met, but will need to have an even stronger showing on Tuesday night to pull off two wins against the Pistons in as many weeks. The “Big Three” didn’t collectively have their typical offensive output on Friday night, but the huge play of Antawn Jamison really boosted the Wizards during crucial stretches of the game.
The Pistons will almost certainly be looking to patch up the holes in their defense that allowed Antawn to drop 35 points on them in front of their home crowd, while the Wizards will try to defend their home court against a Piston’s team that is looking to gel with a revitalized Chris Webber just in time to make a mid-season playoff push.
Tuesday evening’s game will be the last time these two teams will face off during the regular season. A possible playoff preview? Perhaps… A fun game to watch? Definitely!
January 30th, 2007 at 10:46 AM
This is certainly the beginning of a big stretch for the Wiz. Playing of 5 of the last 7 before the All Star break at home is important. I am looking for us go 6-1 in this stretch, maybe 7-0. If you look at the schedule, we should go at least 6-1 if we want to call ourselves contenders. That would put our record at 33-18 going into the break, riding a 8 wins in the last 9 games.
January 30th, 2007 at 1:50 PM
this is going to be one good game to watch the last time it was play off type Ball i think the intensity will be just as high if not higher than last time! we need to come out strong and maintain a steady hard nose pace to pull this out!
January 30th, 2007 at 3:32 PM
I think you’re optimistic Andrew, but I hope you’re right. The next 5 are Detroit, Toronto (.667 in Toronto), Lakers, Seattle, San Antonio. Then a little easier with Portland and Philly. I’d settle for 5 of 7. That’s .714.
If they really control the game tonight I’ll rethink things.
January 30th, 2007 at 4:17 PM
I agree with Wizards4life - we need to come out strong right at the beginning tonight. Unfortunately, some times it takes us a while to fire up the hibachi.
We need to contain Billups!
January 30th, 2007 at 4:19 PM
Well I think the wiz’ll make at least 5 of 7 but 7 of 7 is totally probable. I mean at home we’re quiet hot and for Toronto and SAS it’ll be revenges. But what interest me the most today is obviously tonight’s game (man I’m so upset about this league pass broadband… the greatest games are almost never viewable…). It’s a quiet important game for us cuz it could certify our first place! I’ll follow the game through the blog and the ESPN scoreboard hoping to see Gil make 30 at least (he has not reach 30 during 4 of the last 6 games, that’s not serious you know but as a fan
…). Let’s play.
January 30th, 2007 at 4:32 PM
Last time when they met, Wizards beat them at the free throw line. Collectively, Wizards shot 88.5% vs. Pistons’ 68.2% and won by 3 points. More amazingly, Rip, a career 86% free throw shooter made only 3 for 6, while Haywood, a career 60% (only 53% this season) shooter made 6 for 6. What is the chance of that repeating?
Wizards need to play well tonight!
January 30th, 2007 at 4:47 PM
I truly believe we will go 7-0 before the break. thats right. ive said it.
January 30th, 2007 at 5:19 PM
i’ll be there booing c-webb tonight. glad to see someone decided to pick up our trash.
January 30th, 2007 at 5:22 PM
Arenas will come up big. The Wiz by 3 again.
thats right. ive said it.
January 30th, 2007 at 5:36 PM
the wiz will win by ten points or so. There d can’t stop agent0,caron&jamison all at once. the big three will get 20 each and we are not gonna loose before the break. this team can win it all and a win tonight would get them some credibility
January 30th, 2007 at 5:50 PM
I’m with you ed, I’m going all out, putting it out there to the basketaball GODS…7-0 before the break..
January 30th, 2007 at 7:53 PM
Right now there is 6+ min to go in the 2end and we are up by 16 and all this with out twan who took a shoot to the knee agian i know he has to be hurting every one hits him the knee and he is out for the game!
January 30th, 2007 at 8:07 PM
Did anyone see that one coming? Haywood scores hits a pull-up jumper (off glass) at the buzzer to put the Wizards up 13 at the half.
January 30th, 2007 at 8:09 PM
Nice lead, it could had been better but the wiz managed to keep a 13 points lead… What happend to Tawn’ ?? He’s out for the game?? Is it serious, does it look like more than 1 game out??
January 30th, 2007 at 8:19 PM
Eric,
Would it be possible to get video of DeShawn’s furious dunk and Brendan’s improbable buzzer-beater?
January 30th, 2007 at 8:54 PM
Sean - I should be able to get that done, hopefully tomorrow.
January 30th, 2007 at 9:21 PM
TOUGH TO LOOSE TWAN BUT HABACHI IS REALLY COOKIN TONITE. LOOKS LIKE ANOTHER QUALITY WIN.I’M WITH THE REST OF YOU. WERE GOIN UNDEFEATED UNTIL THE BREAK. THESE BOYS ARE FOR REAL.
January 30th, 2007 at 9:26 PM
I don’t know guys - it’ll be tough if Twan ends up missing games (I’m hearing he will not travel for tomorrow’s game @ TOR). I’ll keep you posted.
January 30th, 2007 at 9:35 PM
Nice win, and a good team effort, but without Tawn’ everythin’s going to be different… I hope tomorrow’s game’ll be the only one he’ll have to miss…
January 30th, 2007 at 10:54 PM
Any word on when Darius Songaila will be available?