DESPITE KEEPING IT CLOSE, WIZARDS NOW DOWN TWO
Jarvis Hayes hit a three-pointer with 17 seconds left in the game and pulled the Wizards within three points of the Cavaliers. But in the end it wasn’t enough as Washington missed their subsequent attempts to get closer and the Cavs hit their free throws to hold on to a 102-109 win over Washington.
Antawn Jamison led Washington for the second straight night with 31 points and 10 boards while Antonio Daniels also had a double-double with 11 points and 11 assists. Brendan Haywood, Roger Mason Jr each scored 13 points and Darius Songaila added 10 points for a Wizards squad that is showing anyone watching that they are not going to away quietly this post-season despite not having you-know-who and you-know-who.
“I credit my guys for coming in and playing hard,” said Coach Eddie Jordan. “We have veterans who know that it’s a 48 minute game. We feel very much like a team that had to change some things coming down the stretch in the season with eight games remaining in the regular season and we sort of carried that over, we sort of adopted this way of playing.”
The series now shifts to The District as the Wizards host Games 3 & 4 of the series Saturday (5:30 pm) and Monday (Time TBD). Tickets for both games are available.
“We just have to keep working; a couple of miscues here, a rebound there it might be a different story,” said Jamison. “You just have to look at it as far as they did what they were supposed to do and that is defend the home court. Now we go home with our crowd and if we continue to play hard and not give up and continue to fight, it looks pretty good.
“We still have a lot of confidence as a team, a couple mistakes here a couple of shots there it might be a different story. In my eyes we have still yet to shoot well as a team and hopefully that could be a different story.”
The Wizards will be back in DC tomorrow for practice/film. Make sure to log on tomorrow for post practice interviews.
Posted: April 25th, 2007 under Wizards.
Comments
Comment from wizardsdotcom
Time April 25, 2007 at 10:09 PM
Just watched the NBA TV crew’s thoughts on the game, and they had nothing but praise for Washington. While they’re not predicting an outcome we’d perhaps agree with, they were very pleased with the effort and think the next two games will continue to be tough contests for Cleveland.
My bold prediction: I think this series will go back to Cleveland. The question is, will it come back to Washington late next week…
Comment from aznzero
Time April 25, 2007 at 10:18 PM
i praise washington for playing hard and keeping it close. alot of people have us swept. but i think we can pull off another bulls upset with us winning in 6. The wiz would get it together at home which will build a momentum to win at the Q and come back to win game six. sounds good ey
Comment from Brickjp
Time April 25, 2007 at 11:26 PM
This is the type of game that we would win at home. Give us that X-factor, the homecourt advantage, and we’d pull through. Cant wait for Saturday. It’s also hard not to imagine Gil and Caron playing in this series. Just heartbreaking to have to take. But we are playing some inspired ball with the belief they can win these games. Wait til we are at home. Verizon will be rocking on Saturday.
Comment from tommandel
Time April 26, 2007 at 7:53 AM
It was a great game to watch. The Wizards played with determination and grit the whole way through. Those guys are playing at a *big* disadvantage, and they should be proud of their effort.
The four bigs — Thomas, Haywood, Songaila and Ruffin — played great! They gave us +25 in 73 total minutes. Jamison was even better than game 1, and Daniels had a good night too. Mason, scoring 10 points, played a solid game.
Unfortunately, Jarvis went 2-13, and DeShawn went 3-12. If your 2 and your 3 give you those kinds of numbers, it is really hard to win. No criticism of those guys, not at all; they played with great intensity. The rest of the team shot over 50%.
I too think we will win on Saturday. Above all, it is great to see a hard-fought series like this. It’s a credit to the team.
Comment from avirtucio
Time April 26, 2007 at 9:49 AM
Yes, it was really a great game. You would have never imagine them playing like this w/o Arenas and Butler. Big praises for the guys. They really played very well and they should be really, really proud of them. And i know, a little more effort and they will get rewarded. Cavs might be thinking that since we don’t have the 2 star that it will be easy for them to win. Psychhhhhhhh…… The ball is round and our time is coming!
Go Wiz!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment from Nara
Time April 26, 2007 at 10:31 AM
I’m tired of moral victories. We had about 10 moral victories in the last 15 games or something like that. I want people in DC to give the cavs bad food or something or turn off the hot water in the visitor’s locker room or SOMETHING to make them off their game. GET’EM DC!!! Do to cavs what salt lake city did to MJ in their finals games.
Comment from wizardsdotcom
Time April 26, 2007 at 10:40 AM
Nara – I guess you’re referring to bad pizza. LOL. (Remember though, Utah ended up losing that game after MJ dropped 38 in “The Flu Game”).
Comment from crazy_about_wizards
Time April 26, 2007 at 12:42 PM
Look at what Golden State is doing to Dallas…..Nothing is impossible and we have the right guys to get the cavs out. I know it is hard to believe right now but by Monday I am sure many of you will agree with me !
Comment from crazy_about_wizards
Time April 26, 2007 at 2:05 PM
Honestly the guys gave their best last night. I agree that work needs to be done on the free throws and FGs but in general I liked the defense that the guys put out there. If they had played this way through the regular season we would probably have had home court advantage in games 1 & 2 of the playoffs despite the injuries of Arenas and Butler.
The best call that Eddie did last night was to put Haywood back in. I was kind of disappointed at Daniels whom I think did not show the best of him last night neither did Songaila in scoring more.
Anyways, now it is up to us the fans to give all the support that the team needs here in DC. Lets show the cavs team and fans what we able to do by going out there and cheering this great team. It is NOT over yet. The Wiz give the best performances while under pressure and what more pressure is there on them now that they are losing the series by 2 and having to play at home in front 20,000 fans that will go out there and support them ?
Go wizards, we are behind you all the way. I know that by game 5 I will open a champagne bottle to celebrate. The bottle will have a Wizards sound coming out of it. They will make it happen !!!!!!!
Comment from HardCoreFan
Time April 26, 2007 at 2:21 PM
Our guys deserve the praise; they are playing hard and making the Cavs earn a win. Think they will continue to play well and get a win. Plus I don’t think anyone should be hard on this team – yes, they are 0-2 but so is the World Champions – the mighty Heat and they have their all stars playing. People are banking on them turning it up at the last minute but I think the Heat are baked. (pardon the pun).
I also think that this is good experience for our players because it will help those who will still be with us next year. Lots of love to Jamison who has been working like he has to pay off some big debts. He has been the man! Anyway, I know we all want more – I would like to see them kick some Cav butt on Saturday!
Comment from neal
Time April 26, 2007 at 3:06 PM
Gotta be proud of the guys. Great experience for next year, even if we lose this one.
Could Haywood redeem himself or is it too late?
Comment from Takisha219
Time April 26, 2007 at 8:33 PM
I hope he hasn’t made a final decision on Haywood. I know Haywood has his problems, but I see issues with Etan as well. Also, I don’t think there are any big men we can bring in to replace Brendan. Keep Brendan! I hope we can fill up the arena on Saturday, they deserve it!
Comment from tommandel
Time April 27, 2007 at 8:02 AM
Brendan is an active, athletic 7 footer w/ a big wingspan. I don’t know if he is a starting center in this league, but I do know that Etan is not.
Etan is physical and smart. He is also a really superior human being, active on political and social issues, creative, articulate — in all, a terrific person. Whereas Brendan really seems like a baby — charming and funny sometimes, but not mature.
But, Etan is 6’8″ and doesn’t have a long wingspan either. He should really be a 4 not a 5, but he isn’t mobile enough to play 4. So, he is and should be a back-up 5 in the league.
I was unhappy when Etan became the starter, but I’m not in the locker room or at practices, and Eddie must have felt he had no choice. It does seem that one of them will have to go in the off-season, but I don’t know what we’ll be able to get in return for their contracts.
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Comment from Wizards4Life
Time April 25, 2007 at 10:05 PM
well its not going to win a championship but it shure makes you feel better!