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Game Thread: Wizards vs. Timberwolves 1/13/11
Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2011 8:29 pm
by RickRoll_inDC
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Washington Wizards @ Minnesota TimberwolvesJanuary 13, 2011 8:00 p.m. ET____WIZARDS_____TIMBERWOLVES
__WALL___________RIDNOUR___
__YOUNG_________BREWER___
__LEWIS__________BEASLEY___
__BLATCHE___________LOVE_____
__MCGEE_________MILICIC____And the Old Man from Scene 24 Wants to Know the Answers to These Questions Three:
1. Can the Wizards avoid going 0-19 on the road?
2. Will Blatche be able to contain Love?
3. Will the Wizards have the longest win streak of the year?
The best performance of Nick Young's four-year NBA career helped the Washington Wizards escape with a wild overtime victory in their latest game.
It might take something truly superhuman to lift the Wizards to a road victory.
Washington tries to build off Young's 43-point effort and avoid falling to 0-19 away from home Thursday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves , who have lost five in a row and will likely be without Michael Beasley.
The trade of Gilbert Arenas in mid-December left a spot in the starting lineup open for Young, but the 6-foot-7 guard didn't made a huge difference in his first 11 games as a starter.
Young was averaging 13.6 points and taking 10.7 shots in 23.5 minutes per game off the bench, and though he upped his scoring average to 18.4 as a starter, he was taking 17.1 shots per contest while playing an average of 36.7 minutes.
He couldn't have been much more efficient Tuesday against Sacramento, however. Young's 43 points - 10 better than his previous career high - came on just 22 field-goal attempts, making 7 of 10 3-pointers to lift Washington (10-26) to a 136-133 overtime win.
"The rim looked like a hula-hoop," Young said. "I was in that zone."
Not everything came easy for the Wizards, though. Washington blew a 20-point, first-quarter lead, a six-point lead in the final 14 seconds of the fourth quarter and nearly lost a five-point lead in the last half-minute of overtime.
"Fifteen years, I've never seen anything like that in my life," coach Flip Saunders said. "Frustration, entertaining, you name it. The positive was we hung in there. We made some plays late, and so the consolation prize is that we won."
Frustration has been about the only emotion Saunders and the Wizards have felt on the road. Washington has lost 19 straight away from home, including 18 this season by an average of 14.5 points. Every other team in the league has at least two road wins.
A visit to Minnesota should give the Wizards a decent opportunity to avoid owning the longest road losing streak to begin a season since the 1997-98 Nuggets started 0-22. The Timberwolves (9-30) will be trying to avoid their fourth losing streak of at least six games after falling 107-96 at home to San Antonio on Tuesday.
"They know who they are," coach Kurt Rambis said of the NBA-best Spurs, who have won 16 straight versus Minnesota. "We're still trying to figure out who we are."
Rambis was ejected in the third quarter Tuesday, receiving two technical fouls in a stunning 10-second span in which the Timberwolves (9-30) picked up five in all.
The most concerning exit for Minnesota, however, was Beasley's. The team's second-leading scorer aggravated the sprained left ankle he originally hurt Friday against Portland, and left with less than four minutes to play.
Beasley said afterward he can't walk on the ankle, making it highly unlikely he'll be ready to go against the Wizards.
That would put more pressure to score on Kevin Love, who's coming off his sixth 20-point, 20-rebound game of the season. Love has averaged 15.8 points and 10.3 rebounds in four meetings with Washington - three losses.
The Timberwolves are 3-15 when Love leads the team in scoring, so perhaps they'll look to Wes Johnson for some offensive help. Minnesota is 6-6 when the rookie guard, replaced by Corey Brewer in the starting lineup the last two games, scores more than 10 points. Johnson hasn't reached that mark in three straight games, going 7 of 24 from the field.
Re: Game Thread: Wizards vs. Timberwolves 1/13/11
Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2011 8:36 pm
by DaRealHibachi
I voted 0, Dray ain't playing...
First Wiz road win... Yeah, I said it...
Re: Game Thread: Wizards vs. Timberwolves 1/13/11
Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2011 8:50 pm
by nate33
Yup. Missing Blatche is going to be a real problem. Like him or not, he's our best post defender at the PF spot and the only guy with the strength to deter Love. Lewis or Yi on Love will be a joke. Seraphin at PF is a joke.
Our best bet may be to put McGee on Love and have Yi guard Darko. Either that or hope that Booker is strong enough to box Love out.
Re: Game Thread: Wizards vs. Timberwolves 1/13/11
Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2011 9:00 pm
by pineappleheadindc
I'm wondering what the over/under line is for the # of rebounds Love gets.
Re: Game Thread: Wizards vs. Timberwolves 1/13/11
Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2011 9:30 pm
by GhostsOfGil
wats more likely? love grabbing under 10 rbs? wall shooting over 50%? or ny scoring under 10 points?
edit* wats more likely, love grabbing under 5 rebounds or wiz winning the first road game
Re: Game Thread: Wizards vs. Timberwolves 1/13/11
Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2011 9:36 pm
by pancakes3
It'll be up tomorrow. bodog's over/under for blake tonight against the heat is 13.
Re: Game Thread: Wizards vs. Timberwolves 1/13/11
Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2011 9:41 pm
by REDardWIZskin
Yea Shart trying to rebound with Love could get ugly. Love is not a really good defender though so maybe Shart can make up for it on the other end. A big game from him would really help to get the first road W.
I would at least give K- serph a shot a trying to box out Love. One thing about Serph is that we KNOW he will foul out before he backs out from the challenge.
Should be interesting to see how the team plays in this game after they way the played at the end the of the Kings Game
Re: Game Thread: Wizards vs. Timberwolves 1/13/11
Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2011 10:15 pm
by queridiculo
pancakes3 wrote:It'll be up tomorrow. bodog's over/under for blake tonight against the heat is 13.
I'll take the over.
Re: Game Thread: Wizards vs. Timberwolves 1/13/11
Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2011 10:48 pm
by closg00
Beasley is out tomorrow, that helps.
Re: Game Thread: Wizards vs. Timberwolves 1/13/11
Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2011 10:54 pm
by dlts20
Dray is doubtful with a shoulder sprain. The curse is in full effect. Dray finally has a good game and now hurts his shoulder, right when we have to go up against Minny's good frontcourt aiming for our 1st road win.
If Dray is out then I wouldnt start Thorton. I would like to keep Shard at the 3. I dont think we should not only have 1 different guy out of the lineup but 2 by not having our starting 3 in Shard. I think we should keep Shard at the 3 and start Booker for this game
Re: Game Thread: Wizards vs. Timberwolves 1/13/11
Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2011 2:27 am
by The Fax
Lets kill 2 birds with one stone tomorrow night.
Re: Game Thread: Wizards vs. Timberwolves 1/13/11
Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2011 5:26 am
by nuposse04
The Bean Burrito is dropping 30+. Minny's bigs will present a problem. Hopefully we can get our first wining streak :/
Re: Game Thread: Wizards vs. Timberwolves 1/13/11
Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2011 6:20 am
by Tyrone Messby
I'd say I expect our first road win against the T'Wolves but then again the Wizards will come in looking at the T'Wolves record expecting an easy win, regardless of the FACT that they are WINLESS on the road. Only the Wizards my friends. Oh and the Redskins too, they pull the same shi year in/year out as well. And Blatche being out might be a blessing in disguise.
Re: Game Thread: Wizards vs. Timberwolves 1/13/11
Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2011 6:27 am
by ErikChowbay023
You really underestimate the value of Blatche`s defense. He has been playing really well on that side of the ball..
I say Dray is showing a lot of maturity by playing hard on defense even though his offense his struggling. How many so called stars, do we we doing the complete opposite?
Re: Game Thread: Wizards vs. Timberwolves 1/13/11
Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2011 10:51 am
by hands11
dlts20 wrote:Dray is doubtful with a shoulder sprain. The curse is in full effect. Dray finally has a good game and now hurts his shoulder, right when we have to go up against Minny's good frontcourt aiming for our 1st road win.
If Dray is out then I wouldnt start Thorton. I would like to keep Shard at the 3. I dont think we should not only have 1 different guy out of the lineup but 2 by not having our starting 3 in Shard. I think we should keep Shard at the 3 and start Booker for this game
I wouldn't be surprised if Flip wasn't thinking the same thing. This team has had so many different line ups. Flip did keep Nick at SG and off the bench for a while regardless of what else was going on. That said, Lewis is more experienced than Nick so it isn't the same. But, Wall is getting used to having Lewis at the SF, so he may do it for Wall more than anything that has to do with Lewis switching.
So if that is the logic, my guess is he starts Yi at PF. At least Wall, Nick and Lewis get to gel at the 1, 2, 3 and he can keep his rotations the same. Booker and Seraphin will need to back up at PF. McGee needs to run Darko off the court and get him moving him around trying to find him.
Strategy, Let Nick and Lewis shoot most the shots. There will be less rebounds that way. If Lewis stays at SG, then Wesley Johnson - Rookie, should be on him.
I will be interested in seeing Love play. Should be a good lesson if nothing else.
Also, I want to see how Wesley Johnson is coming alone. Damn these guy have a lot of top first round picks. If they were in the East, they would have a lot better record. They just went toe to toe with SA in back to backs.
Also Brewer is starting now. He is a 6-9 SG and a good defender. How will that bother Nick ?
News: Beasley (ankle) will likely miss Thursday's game against Washington and potentially Saturday's game against Orlando, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
With Beasley out, they may have a problem matching up with Nick and Lewis
( I think we need some updated pictures in the first post )
Luke Ridnour, PG vs WALL
Corey Brewer, SG vs NICK
Wesley Johnson, SF vs LEWIS
Kevin Love, PF vs YI
Darko Milicic, C vs MCGEE
Re: Game Thread: Wizards vs. Timberwolves 1/13/11
Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2011 11:12 am
by Hoopalotta
Yi on Love is really going to be hard to stomach - the perfect showcase matchup there.
Re: Game Thread: Wizards vs. Timberwolves 1/13/11
Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2011 11:29 am
by hands11
Beasley said afterward he can't walk on the ankle, making it highly unlikely he'll be ready to go against the Wizards.
That would put more pressure to score on Kevin Love, who's coming off his sixth 20-point, 20-rebound game of the season. Love has averaged 15.8 points and 10.3 rebounds in four meetings with Washington -- three losses.
The Timberwolves are 3-15 when Love leads the team in scoring, so perhaps they'll look to Wes Johnson for some offensive help. Minnesota is 6-6 when the rookie guard, replaced by Corey Brewer in the starting lineup the last two games, scores more than 10 points. Johnson hasn't reached that mark in three straight games, going 7 of 24 from the field.
Re: Game Thread: Wizards vs. Timberwolves 1/13/11
Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2011 12:19 pm
by hands11
Hoopalotta wrote:Yi on Love is really going to be hard to stomach - the perfect showcase matchup there.
True, but I could see Flip throwing Yi to the Wolves so to speak.
Hey, Yi needs to toughen up and be challenged like he was in those international games. I've actually seen the guy play decently scrappy and with effort at times. His biggest problem is he thinks he is a first scoring option outside shooting SF on offense. He is effected by the OP syndrome. Second problem is he sets screens but doesn't hold position until he actually makes contact and screens the man. He is just so focused on rolling/popping so he can get the ball so he can shoot it. Another rock for Flip to crack. Also, Wall and Kirk need to get on him about this. Just don't pass it to him when he rolls unless he actually sets and hold the pick first. Then tell him why...over and over and over until he does what is required of him.
But on defense, I have seen him scrap and give effort. Most his downside on D seems to be him not knowing where to be in a team concept or switching to late. That can be learned. But he is giving more effort on holding man on man post position.
Offense and Defense. Poor hands. He has problem securing rebounds and with catching post feeds. Is this focus or does he have the small hands Kwame syndrome? Reading the scouting report, they say he had great hands. Not sure what happens to him. Maybe he is just playing ahead of himself and not looking the ball into his hands enough. This is similar to him not holding picks. Fundamentals. First things first.
There is a place for a player like Yi in this league. It's off the bench for about 3M a year while someone works on his game and gets him focused on the few things he needs to do well first and foremost. 7-0 250, mobile and a good leaper to finish, as long as there is no contact. He is still decently young though he does look older than 23. My guess is he is 26. Well, that's Nicks age. Ah, this is interesting.
http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Yi-Jianlian-44/Bday: 10/28/1984 (26 Years Old) This Scouting Report is an excellent read about his skill set and weakness.
There has been controversy over Yi's age, as several reports have testified that his officially listed birth date of October 27, 1987,[1] was intentionally falsified so he would be able to play longer in junior competitions. Yi has refused to comment on his age.
Yi, Milwaukee's top draft pick, joined his new team for his first practice Thursday, but again dodged the question that's hounded him since announcing he was coming to the NBA.
Yi's birth certificate lists him as being born Oct. 27, 1987, which would make him 19, but he's long been rumored older. "I have no comment on that," Yi said through translator Roy Lu.
Ok, so he is 26. Well, he was brought here to back up at PF and to see what Flip could teach him. I suspect he will be used that way. He was our back up PF who has enough raw talent to start a few games when needed. With Dray out, I think we will see Yi.
Re: Game Thread: Wizards vs. Timberwolves 1/13/11
Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2011 3:41 pm
by dlts20
hands11 wrote:dlts20 wrote:Dray is doubtful with a shoulder sprain. The curse is in full effect. Dray finally has a good game and now hurts his shoulder, right when we have to go up against Minny's good frontcourt aiming for our 1st road win.
If Dray is out then I wouldnt start Thorton. I would like to keep Shard at the 3. I dont think we should not only have 1 different guy out of the lineup but 2 by not having our starting 3 in Shard. I think we should keep Shard at the 3 and start Booker for this game
I wouldn't be surprised if Flip wasn't thinking the same thing. This team has had so many different line ups. Flip did keep Nick at SG and off the bench for a while regardless of what else was going on. That said, Lewis is more experienced than Nick so it isn't the same. But, Wall is getting used to having Lewis at the SF, so he may do it for Wall more than anything that has to do with Lewis switching.
So if that is the logic, my guess is he starts Yi at PF. At least Wall, Nick and Lewis get to gel at the 1, 2, 3 and he can keep his rotations the same. Booker and Seraphin will need to back up at PF. McGee needs to run Darko off the court and get him moving him around trying to find him.
Strategy, Let Nick and Lewis shoot most the shots. There will be less rebounds that way. If Lewis stays at SG, then Wesley Johnson - Rookie, should be on him.
I will be interested in seeing Love play. Should be a good lesson if nothing else.
Also, I want to see how Wesley Johnson is coming alone. Damn these guy have a lot of top first round picks. If they were in the East, they would have a lot better record. They just went toe to toe with SA in back to backs.
Also Brewer is starting now. He is a 6-9 SG and a good defender. How will that bother Nick ?
News: Beasley (ankle) will likely miss Thursday's game against Washington and potentially Saturday's game against Orlando, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
With Beasley out, they may have a problem matching up with Nick and Lewis
( I think we need some updated pictures in the first post )
Luke Ridnour, PG vs WALL
Corey Brewer, SG vs NICK
Wesley Johnson, SF vs LEWIS
Kevin Love, PF vs YI
Darko Milicic, C vs MCGEE
yeah, on other sites I said to start Booker, Yi, or Seraphin. Probably will start Yi if its not Al
Re: Game Thread: Wizards vs. Timberwolves 1/13/11
Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2011 3:43 pm
by dlts20
Hoopalotta wrote:Yi on Love is really going to be hard to stomach - the perfect showcase matchup there.
IDK. Love is a beast but he's not far from the bad version of Blatche on Offense. He has a very low shooting percentage for someone his size, takes alot of jumpers, bad shots, and misses easy one's. Im not afraid of that matchup, as long as everyone comes to rebound.
The thing I want to see the most is can NY finally take his game on the road again and play well against a top notch defender in Brewer who has the size, athleticism, and length to make it miserable for an NY who looked dead tired at the end of last game