TONIGHT: WIZARDS VS. HEAT
UPDATE: Antawn Jamison is inactive for tonight’s game. Caron Butler is active but it will be a game-time decision whether or not he plays.
By Shaun Fletcher, WashingtonWizards.com Blog Correspondent
Fresh off of a three game road trip, the Wizards come home tonight to face their division rivals Miami Heat. This game marks the second time these two teams have met this year. The Wizards ended a then-16-game losing streak against the Heat by winning the first meeting this season 106-95 at the Verizon Center back in December. The next time these teams face-off will be in Miami on March 11th and finally on April 11th.
The circumstances surrounding the last meeting, however, were somewhat different than tonight’s matchup. If you recall back in December, the Wizards caught a Heat team that was without several notable players, including Shaq, D-Wade, and Jason Williams. Also, the illustrious “Big 3†were hitting on all cylinders at the time. Oh, how the tables have turned, right? Wizards fans can still take comfort in knowing that Finals MVP Dwayne Wade will not be causing any headaches on the floor tonight as he is still out nursing a well-documented shoulder injury.
However, the Wizards will still need to find a way to slow down “The Diesel.†Shaquille O’Neal has been forced to shoulder much more of the offensive load since D-Wade went down with his injury. While his minutes have not significantly increased, his scoring and rebounding numbers have improved in the last three games. Also, Jason Kapono has been a solid perimeter shooter for the Heat this year and could pose a problem for the Wizards zone defensive packages. While the Heat have dropped three of their last four contests, they still are sporting a respectable 7-4 record in February (they started the month winning 6 of 7).
On the Wizards front, it is possible that Antawn Jamison (knee) could suit up for tonight’s game and Caron Butler continues to be day-to-day (back spasms). Both will be game time decisions as to whether they’ll play tonight. It was very encouraging to see Roger Mason, Jr. shoot so well and Jarvis Hayes post an impressive 21 point, 9 rebound game last night against the Nets. The Wizards will certainly need this type of continued effort and energy as a team tonight in order to halt this three game skid.
With the changes that each of these squads have endured recently, it would be somewhat misguided to mention records or other peripheral statistics. The bottom line is that this game includes two of the most dangerous teams in the Eastern Conference who will be ready to battle regardless of who’s in or out of their respective lineups. The million dollar question remains the same… who will step up and be the x-factor?
Ok, so what’s your take?
Posted: February 28th, 2007 under Wizards.
Comments
Comment from Joe
Time February 28, 2007 at 5:56 PM
I thought Lang was a talented, yet raw prospect that had potential. Why not dump Taylor instead? This move says to me that Caron’s injury is worse than initially thought.
Comment from Anonymous
Time February 28, 2007 at 7:22 PM
i cant even watch the wiz anymore, they play so bad now. Is like they arent an NBA team anymore. I thought this year was different but it seems they dont even care anymore.
Comment from wizardsdotcom
Time February 28, 2007 at 8:10 PM
Someone put the coffee away, it looks like the Wizards are wide awake. After opening the game slowly, the Wizards have cut a 17 point lead to one point entering half time. DeShawn Stevenson has a team-high 13 points, but Roger Mason is again making a big contribution off the bench (six points, 2-2 3FGA).
Comment from Joe
Time February 28, 2007 at 8:12 PM
Something is wrong with Gil though. He can’t make anything from 3 point land. He’s even missing wide open shots.
Comment from wizardsdotcom
Time February 28, 2007 at 9:13 PM
Wizards can’t seem to get over that hump here in the fourth quarter. Shaq has all 10 of the Heat’s points with 2:41 left in the period. Wizards trail by 7…
Comment from Anonymous
Time February 28, 2007 at 9:16 PM
i dont think we could play any worse really, the bench is playing better then our starters for the last 4 games. i just dont see AJ coming back is all of a sudden gonna the fundementals of BB back.
All we do is iso’s. If ur shoots arent falling then ur screwed. Uhave to do other stuff like screens and pic and rolls. ANYTHING besides taking contested shots. I think Caron is faking the injury cause he is so embarassed in how back everyone is playing.
Lets hope AJs return is a mircale.
Comment from Anonymous
Time February 28, 2007 at 9:19 PM
Geez we cant even beat the heat w/o Wade. OMG what happened to us? It seems our team live or dies on wiether Gilbert scores 30+. Thats not good.
Comment from Anonymous
Time February 28, 2007 at 9:26 PM
Gil is about ready to go below 40% FG%. Thats Mike bibby suckyness. cept bibby only shoot around 10 shots a game. Gil shoulder must be killing him cause this is rediculous. God i hope this team can turn it around for the playoffs. We need that 2nd seed badly. I really thought this year we had a chance at getting to conf finals.
Comment from Anonymous
Time February 28, 2007 at 9:31 PM
Wizards are 25th in the NBA in APG. All they know is to advance the ball quickly, throw it and hope for the best. Seems like no coaching, really. When Gil is 5/22, 3/18, 1/11, etc, they’ll just go on losing. If you can’t get to the basket, then how about better shot selection by guys with better percentages?
Comment from Neal
Time February 28, 2007 at 9:41 PM
25th in the league in assists? That says it all. Someone is not playing the Princeton offense. I wonder who?
Good to see Hayes driving occasionally.
Wizardsdotcom, if a player shoots and misses but is fouled does it count as an attempt in figuring FG%?
Comment from sagaliba
Time February 28, 2007 at 9:57 PM
neal,
No, if a player missed the shot when fouled, it does not count in FG% (but if he makes it, then it counts).
In addition, Wizards under EJ, running the so-called “Princeton Offense,” has always had very few assists. In 2003-2004, they are 18.7, 2004-2005, 19.1, 2005-2006 18.6. This year, they are 19.7, the highest!
Of course, their opponents always have a lot more assists than they do. Wizards’ opponents averaged 24.0, 23.0, 21.5 and 23.8 in those same 4 years.
Comment from Anonymous
Time February 28, 2007 at 10:57 PM
why not just rest arenas…obviously something is wrong and if we’re going to lose anyways as it seems its better for the long run for him to rest…
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Comment from Ed soysizzle
Time February 28, 2007 at 5:50 PM
i hope Tough Juice and Twan coems back tonite. Gilbert cant do everything.