WizBlog RSS FeedWIZARDS GET PAST PISTONS, WIN THIRD STRAIGHT
The Wizards held on in the final minutes for a 104-99 win over the Pistons Tuesday night at Verizon Center. Gilbert Arenas paced the squad with 36 points and 11 assists. DeShawn Stevenson added 15 points (7-8 FG). It wasn’t all smiles after the game, though. Antawn Jamison left the game in the first quarter after suffering a sprained left knee.
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“We said post defense was going to be a big factor,” said Eddie Jordan. “Brendan (Haywood) started the game off very well against Rasheed (Wallace) and Calvin (Booth) came in when Antawn (Jamison) went down and he was absolutely great. Those two guys anchored the middle for us. Etan (Thomas) came in with his physical play and got us some buckets. We just gutted it out again.”
Washington has now won three straight games and seven of their last eight. The team remains on top of the Eastern Conference with a 27-17 record. The last time the Wizards were the Conference’s top seed this late in the season was at the conclusion of the 1978-79 season.
“During this streak, we just dug down in the fourth quarter to get some quality wins,” said Jordan. “We are just playing with a lot of confidence right now, but it is very early and there are a lot of games left to be played. There are a number of teams fighting for position and it should be very competitive and a great challenge for us during the second half of the season.”
Next up for the Wizards: The Raptors tomorrow night. Jamison will not travel with the team to Toronto and is scheduled to undergo an MRI Thursday.
“Antawn is a key part of our team,” said Caron Butler (13 points, 5 rebounds). “He is the captain. If he is going to miss an extended period of time guys like Calvin Booth and Andray Blatche will have the opportunity to step up and make plays to help us keep this streak going.”
January 30th, 2007 at 10:06 PM
What more can you say Arenas hes been going off for these numbers so often that they seem normal to him. Caron Butler and Jamison are great complements to Gilbert’s game. Everyone on our team seems to play well when they get the opportunity. In my book, our whole team deserves to be an all-star in the east.
January 30th, 2007 at 10:11 PM
It’s good to see the team win even with the loss of Jamison. I hope he isn’t out long….but I believe our team would respond.
January 30th, 2007 at 10:17 PM
yeah that was a good win Twans been big for the Wizards as of late and you cant just say o well! some ones got to step up and a few people jumed up and made some plays when there needed! and as far as i have heard we wont have AJ tomorrow night so we need to dig in and pull a few out till he gets back to 100%
Wizards4Life-
January 30th, 2007 at 10:21 PM
Don’t forget Stevenson - please sign him to an extension before he disappears..
While you are at it - get rid of Haywood & Hayes for Pau Gasol - they are pathetic.
January 30th, 2007 at 10:25 PM
im watchin nba coast to coast, they had a caron interview, agent zero interview, and an EJ interview. in that interview EJ said that from the lockerroom check it looks liek twan has a bruise/ injury to a lateral tendon “i dont know the specific medical terminology” (EJ) and he will go an MRI tommrw and it looks like he will miss 3-4 and possibly 6 weeks with the injury, thats from the trainers check up in the locker room but we should know more once the mri comes in. just thought id share wat i saw on NBA coast to coast. eric you should post up all 3 interviews
January 30th, 2007 at 10:35 PM
Get to bed or Toronto, whichever comes first. It doesn’t matter who travels with the team. This could be a statement game. But, only if the Wizards win. Its a long season. A push to send Eddie to the game is a noble cause but, hardly a blip on the season. Good win tonight… tomorrow is lately..
January 30th, 2007 at 10:38 PM
The last time the wizards were this high in rankings was in 1978. They ending up having a great rest of the season, but fell short of the finals. This year the Wizards are powerful and much more balanced,and with names like gilbert arenas and caron butler, this team will most likely bring home the gold. Every time i watch the wizards play, they look unstopableand i wonder how the heck they lost 17 games.
January 30th, 2007 at 10:40 PM
Anonymous: Haywood and Hayes are pathetic? Haywood is having probably the best season of his career right now. He is taking it to the hole with authority, and getting big rebouns for us. Plus a good number of blocks.
Jarvis isnt 100 percent yet. tonight he had 8 points in 20 minutes. Not bad at all. Dont give up on these players yet. Getting rid of Haywood especially would be a huge mistake.
Now, onto the game. I had great seats to this game, and we played very well right outta the gate. I gotta give props to Calvin Booth hitting a couple of open jumpers. Gilbert trusts him to make those shots. Booth also bothered many shots by the Pistons.
Overall, great win. Tough, tough loss with Jamison. Right when he was hitting his stride, too. I have to admit, I did mention to my dad just yesterday that the Wiz are one of the few teams without a major injury this season and look what happens. Lets hope for the best for AJ. This injury will probably prevent him from making the All-Star game because coaches wont vote for an injured player. Oh well.
GO WIIZZZZARDDS!!! AGENT ZERO MVP
January 30th, 2007 at 10:58 PM
Jamison out for 3-6 weeks? Is that official from the Wizards?
January 30th, 2007 at 11:05 PM
No prognosis has been made available by the team as of Tuesday evening.
January 30th, 2007 at 11:45 PM
yea thats what they said on NBA COAST to COAST right after the game. i watched it too.
January 30th, 2007 at 11:47 PM
Another great win. Wiz still get no respect on NBATV … “the best team in the Eastern Conference … at least by record.” Bah! We’re on par with anyone from the East at the very least, and by my lights, are playing like a solid #1. Of course, big news is Antwan. Hope it’s not too serious, but if the initial reports I’m hearing (3-4 weeks), then he picked a great time, with the All Star break taking nearly a week. And, with Darius on the verge of returning, couldn’t have picked a better time. Although it will be tough to replace him over that time, the Wiz should be okay. Fingers crossed.
January 30th, 2007 at 11:58 PM
In terms of body control, Deshawn did come barrelling in on AJ there. I felt so bad for AJ, getting hurt again.
Once again, the box score doesn’t tell the story of how many little things Butler does on the court. He really really had a good game.
How about some shooting by Haywood and Thomas, eh?
I hope AJ knows we’re praying for him.
January 31st, 2007 at 6:57 AM
Arenas, if the Washington Wizards win the east title, you will be MVP, so keep doing what you are doing. Good luck.
January 31st, 2007 at 7:38 AM
Great game! They stayed ahead all night. Got kind of close in the 4th but they maintained their lead and won. I never doubted they would win. I think Haywood is playing his best ball right now and loved the shot he made at the end of the quarter. I wouldn’t trade him. He and Jordan are getting along and he is doing what he should be doing. I also liked the dunk he made and then turned to the Pistons and said What? And I also believe once Hayes full confidence returns in his game, he will be a force to be reckoned with too. I hate my main man AJ got hurt and I hope it is not as bad as stated on NBA Coast to Coast. This may be the catalyst though for Hayes to play with some confidence. We are going to need him drive to the basket and not rely so much on perimeter shooting. I wonder if he is afraid to drive to the basket because he thinks he may get hurt again?
Wizarddot.com, let Jamison know everyone is pulling for him and hopes he is better soon!
Getting a win tonight in Toronto would be big for so many reasons. And the other poster is correct, there is something about the Wizards where they get no respect. I say, just keep on winning and they won’t have any choice but to see we are for real.GO WIZARDS!
WizFANatic
January 31st, 2007 at 8:25 AM
I think Haywood has become a very good NBA center. He’s finally playing with aggressiveness. Both he and Thomas are having their best years. Anybody know when Haywood’s contract is up?
Jordan’s putting in Booth for Jamison instead of Hayes won it for us. Hayes still hasn’t reached his potential. The jury is still out. If he ever gets his shot confidence he’ll be really valuable. He defends well.
January 31st, 2007 at 8:32 AM
I can’t believe someone said Haywood and Hayes are pathetic?? Man are you watching the game?? Well someone already answered. The main focus is Tawn’ now… He’s important for the team even though as we have seen yesterday the team can deliver a nice effort and take over good teams!!! Let’s hope he’s out only for 3 weeks.
January 31st, 2007 at 8:38 AM
Amazing. ‘Twan getting injured is gonna be tough, but if anyone can get through it, the Wiz can. Tonight is gonna be important. They need to follow up one good win with another. I think Arenas puts in at least 40 tonight and a good 25 from Butler.
January 31st, 2007 at 9:10 AM
I have to be honest. Antawn’s injury terrifies me. I believe that is the same knee he had so much trouble with two years back. I am hoping is not out any longer than the All Star break.
Once he went down and I heard he had sprained his knee, I started wondering what the starting lineup will look like now. I think there are possibilties…either Antonio starts or Jarvis starts. The lineups would look like this:
Arenas Arenas
Daniels Stevenson
Stevenson Hayes
Butler Butler
Haywood Haywood
Regardless of who starts, Calvin Booth, Andray Blatche and Jarvis Hayes are all going to have to step up. Blatche and Booth will need to give us defense, and Hayes will have to help fill the offensive void.
Thoughts?
January 31st, 2007 at 9:24 AM
From Tim Legler on today’s Daily Dime:
“It looks like Antawn Jamison could be out three weeks, which was the word from Wizards coach Eddie Jordan on Tuesday’s “NBA Coast to Coast” — that could cost the team with the East’s current best record (27-17) a spot in the seedings.”
January 31st, 2007 at 9:33 AM
I just still cringe a little when Jarvis takes that long shot. True, he can hit it when he is on, but, too many times he has taken that shot and threw up bricks and when you are in a contest where every shot counts, that can be quite costly. I find myself wishing he would pass it. That is why I wonder why Jarvis just relys on that perimeter shot. Can he not make shots in the paint or make midrange jumpers that are a little closer to the basket. By the way, I am by no means putting him down but just calling it as I see it.For every eight he attempts, he may get two or three. That could conceivably cost the Wizards 12 points are more. I would just like to see him look for the open man more. If no one else is open and he has a good look at the basket and it’s a quality shot, then shoot it. Otherwise…………..
I would like to see Mason and Blatche get playing time as well. I think the both of them can make major contributions if a little confidence is instilled in them. Regardless though, someone is going to have to step it up.
And as a TRUE Wiz fan, I really believe we can get through with not having Jamison and still win. I really do. My boys are just going to have to play. I know they can do it. So, prove me right “Zards” and whip up on Toronto tonight!
January 31st, 2007 at 9:57 AM
I am worry Antawn Jamison, I want him to go to all star, but I do want him to get a rest(all star break) his body is too tired. we need him after all star break and playoffs. but he is all star player. confuse.
January 31st, 2007 at 10:26 AM
“Jordan’s putting in Booth for Jamison instead of Hayes won it for us.”
Neal, I agree. This was a well-coached game.
From a playoff viability perspective, I’m not getting too excited too fast about Haywood. I remember the recent past. But he played well last night. He’s on the right track.
Continue to concur with what everyone is saying about Jamison. We really feel for him and hope he’s on the mend — and gets lots of time to mend. Rather have him at full strength for the playoffs than worry about seedings right now.
January 31st, 2007 at 11:15 AM
I just don’t get the criticism of Haywood — he is playing *great ball.* Etan had a good game too.
Booth was so solid! He played the 4 in Jamison’s absence, and he did an excellent job. He hits the mid-range jumper, and he plays long, smart defense.
Hayes’ numbers don’t look good from last night, but he played good defense and the shots he hit were big.
You know, we just beat a very good team — and they were quite motivated too! If the wiz play like this the rest of the season, we are to be reckoned with.
But… we do need Antawn. If he might be out 6 weeks, life is gonna get interesting. We are going to *need* progress from Andray Blatche if that is true.
January 31st, 2007 at 11:21 AM
I attended last night game, the Wizard are playing some awsome ball. I thank Eddie for his coaching expertise, these guys are playing team ball and are focused. Keep up the good work Eddie, you are an ALL-STAR Coach with an ALL-STAR Team. Arenas you are MVP and if I had my way the whole team would be MVP, the team is on it’s way to a Championship. Jamison, look forward to seeing you back for the play-offs. Caron you are the man and MVP material as well, keep up the good work. Hayood and Hayes stay focused and continue to do your thing, that is contribute to your team success. Please sign Stevens to an extension, he is valuable to the Wizards TEAM. Much Love Wizard Fan.
January 31st, 2007 at 12:02 PM
Great help from the bench. Arenas had a great game. Is the All Star game ever coming to Washington?
January 31st, 2007 at 12:13 PM
All-Star game was here in 2001 - I wouldn’t count on it anytime soon, but you never know…
January 31st, 2007 at 12:39 PM
My prayers are with Jamison and his family. It seems that almost everyone who played for the USA team over the summer is getting hurt. James, Wade, Paul and Jamison all got hurt. Anthony got some rest because he was suspended. The Wizards will miss Jamison but, I think they have enough people to pick up the slack. It will take a few games because coach relies on the big three so much. I feel like some of the other bloggers Hayes is not the right person to start in place of Jamison. Jamison is barely a PF, Hayes is definitely not a PF neither is Butler. I think they should start Booth and have Blatche back him up. If Jamison is out for 4-6 weeks the up coming schedule is definitely something we can work with. We have four away games until March and the two toughest teams are San Antoine and Chicago. So I think we will be OK maybe still Number One in the east.
January 31st, 2007 at 1:48 PM
Let’s concentrate on the positives. It is pretty much guaranteed that we will be playing with out Jamison for at least 2 weeks, and as many as 8 weeks. No, this is not good, but I feel it is unlikely he will be out for the season.
Just think of how much deeper we will be come playoff time. Hayes, Booth and Blatche will get major PT over the next few weeks. I expect two of them to step up big to fill the void.
It is good we have some breathing room over the Heat in the Southeast!