The Future(Wall) at The Past(Nash) Game Thread: 2/20 9et
Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2012 8:12 pm
under construction
Wizards
at
Suns
Wizards U
Starters
Suns U
Starters
KEY MATCHUP
Wall vs Nash
Nash is older but playing seemingly better than ever. Still leading the league in assist while posting his highest shooting percentage ever. Meanwhile Wall has shaken off a Sophmore slump to play like the #1 pick over the past 20 games and seems to feel like he can win his matchup everytime out. Could go either way as teams have killed us with the pick & roll and no one does it better than Nash but he's equally as bad on D and Wall is out for blood. I like Wall against a tired Nash who probably has alot on his mind with the trade deadline approaching.
PREVIEW
The Washington Wizards opened their five-game road trip with a pair of surprising victories before suffering ugly back-to-back defeats.
Concluding their trek on a positive note could prove difficult with a visit to Phoenix in store.
The Wizards try to avoid a 10th consecutive loss to the Suns as the teams meet for the only time this season Monday night.
After dropping 10 of its first 11 road games, Washington (7-24) shot a combined 53.5 percent to open its trip with a 98-77 win at Detroit on Feb. 12 and a 124-109 victory at Portland on Tuesday.
The Wizards, however, failed to carry any momentum into their next two games. Two nights after falling 102-84 at the Los Angeles Clippers, Washington was handed a 114-100 defeat at Utah on Friday.
"We weren't getting back, taking tough shots and not playing defense," said John Wall, who scored 24 points. "To give up 100 points in three quarters is unnecessary. It's tough to win those games on the road."
The Wizards haven't completed a road trip of four games or more with at least a .500 record since going 3-1 from Dec. 17-22, 2006. Washington concluded that trek with a 144-139 overtime win at Phoenix (13-19) and is hoping for a similar result in this one.
"Just try to make the last one a blowout for us," Wall said. "Were 2-2, you want the last one to end up on your terms ... (we) just gotta keep battling and try to get a win in Phoenix."
If their recent efforts in this series are any indication, the Wizards could have a hard time keeping up with the Suns. Washington has been outscored by an average of 17.7 points in dropping nine consecutive meetings with Phoenix -- including a 109-91 home defeat Jan. 21, 2011, in the most recent matchup.
The Suns concluded a home-and-home set with the Los Angeles Lakers and snapped a four-game losing streak with Sunday's 102-90 victory. Marcin Gortat posted 21 points and 15 rebounds for his fourth double-double in five games while Jared Dudley scored a season-high 25.
"I think offensively we were really efficient and we did a good job of executing," coach Alvin Gentry said. "(Jared Dudley) came up with some good shots for us and Marcin seems to be playing really solid night in and night out."
Phoenix may want to think about calling Dudley's number a bit more. The Suns improved to 6-1 when he scores at least 16 points.
While Phoenix had plenty to feel good about following Sunday's win, Gentry was quick to turn his attention to the Wizards.
"We still have to come back (Monday) and play well. (Washington) is a real talented team; I don't think you can judge them by their record," he said. "They've got a lot of real young players. Yeah we are playing at home, but once again we've got to come back and do a good job."
Even with Sunday's win, the Suns are just 3-6 over their last nine games at the US Airways Center. Phoenix is averaging 95.6 points at home this season -- nearly 10 points lower than its 105.5 mark from 2010-11.
Steve Nash is averaging 13.4 assists in his last nine games, recording double digits in each. He's averaging 18.5 points and 14.1 assists in his last 11 meetings with Washington.
PREDICTION
As I said in the key matchup discussion, we have been terrible at times on D and are always the worst team in the league at defending the pick & roll. However, this will be the Suns 6th game in 8 days and they have been struggling until just beating the Lakers. I see the Lakers win followed by us as a trap game for them. On the flip side we were riding high after a couple of big wins, came back to earth, and now are looking to bounce back & finish strong going into the All Star break. I think we were tired some the last 2 games and should be fresh for this one.
Our pick & roll Defense should be helped out by the fact that we had 3 days to prepare for this game so I know they had to work on it non stop. I think Witt will tell them to run non stop all game and that the Suns may hang strong early but fade late like we did against the Clipps. Get a win here and one to close out against the Kings and the future looks bright heading into the All Star game. An L in either one and we still look like the same ole Wiz. There is no excuse for this game. You cant say we're tired or anything. We have to win and we will, 111-101.
I'd feel bette about it though if Singelton wasnt starting but he probably will be again, espically against this team because of the matchups. Also have to be very careful about one guy. Weve got alot of Wiz killers in the NBA and theyve done it alot again this year. Another one of those guys is Michael Redd. He's been injuried and is an average bench player now but I wouldnt be shocked to see him come off and light it up against us like he use to
Wizards
at
Suns
Wizards U
Starters
Suns U
Starters
KEY MATCHUP
Wall vs Nash
Nash is older but playing seemingly better than ever. Still leading the league in assist while posting his highest shooting percentage ever. Meanwhile Wall has shaken off a Sophmore slump to play like the #1 pick over the past 20 games and seems to feel like he can win his matchup everytime out. Could go either way as teams have killed us with the pick & roll and no one does it better than Nash but he's equally as bad on D and Wall is out for blood. I like Wall against a tired Nash who probably has alot on his mind with the trade deadline approaching.
PREVIEW
The Washington Wizards opened their five-game road trip with a pair of surprising victories before suffering ugly back-to-back defeats.
Concluding their trek on a positive note could prove difficult with a visit to Phoenix in store.
The Wizards try to avoid a 10th consecutive loss to the Suns as the teams meet for the only time this season Monday night.
After dropping 10 of its first 11 road games, Washington (7-24) shot a combined 53.5 percent to open its trip with a 98-77 win at Detroit on Feb. 12 and a 124-109 victory at Portland on Tuesday.
The Wizards, however, failed to carry any momentum into their next two games. Two nights after falling 102-84 at the Los Angeles Clippers, Washington was handed a 114-100 defeat at Utah on Friday.
"We weren't getting back, taking tough shots and not playing defense," said John Wall, who scored 24 points. "To give up 100 points in three quarters is unnecessary. It's tough to win those games on the road."
The Wizards haven't completed a road trip of four games or more with at least a .500 record since going 3-1 from Dec. 17-22, 2006. Washington concluded that trek with a 144-139 overtime win at Phoenix (13-19) and is hoping for a similar result in this one.
"Just try to make the last one a blowout for us," Wall said. "Were 2-2, you want the last one to end up on your terms ... (we) just gotta keep battling and try to get a win in Phoenix."
If their recent efforts in this series are any indication, the Wizards could have a hard time keeping up with the Suns. Washington has been outscored by an average of 17.7 points in dropping nine consecutive meetings with Phoenix -- including a 109-91 home defeat Jan. 21, 2011, in the most recent matchup.
The Suns concluded a home-and-home set with the Los Angeles Lakers and snapped a four-game losing streak with Sunday's 102-90 victory. Marcin Gortat posted 21 points and 15 rebounds for his fourth double-double in five games while Jared Dudley scored a season-high 25.
"I think offensively we were really efficient and we did a good job of executing," coach Alvin Gentry said. "(Jared Dudley) came up with some good shots for us and Marcin seems to be playing really solid night in and night out."
Phoenix may want to think about calling Dudley's number a bit more. The Suns improved to 6-1 when he scores at least 16 points.
While Phoenix had plenty to feel good about following Sunday's win, Gentry was quick to turn his attention to the Wizards.
"We still have to come back (Monday) and play well. (Washington) is a real talented team; I don't think you can judge them by their record," he said. "They've got a lot of real young players. Yeah we are playing at home, but once again we've got to come back and do a good job."
Even with Sunday's win, the Suns are just 3-6 over their last nine games at the US Airways Center. Phoenix is averaging 95.6 points at home this season -- nearly 10 points lower than its 105.5 mark from 2010-11.
Steve Nash is averaging 13.4 assists in his last nine games, recording double digits in each. He's averaging 18.5 points and 14.1 assists in his last 11 meetings with Washington.
PREDICTION
As I said in the key matchup discussion, we have been terrible at times on D and are always the worst team in the league at defending the pick & roll. However, this will be the Suns 6th game in 8 days and they have been struggling until just beating the Lakers. I see the Lakers win followed by us as a trap game for them. On the flip side we were riding high after a couple of big wins, came back to earth, and now are looking to bounce back & finish strong going into the All Star break. I think we were tired some the last 2 games and should be fresh for this one.
Our pick & roll Defense should be helped out by the fact that we had 3 days to prepare for this game so I know they had to work on it non stop. I think Witt will tell them to run non stop all game and that the Suns may hang strong early but fade late like we did against the Clipps. Get a win here and one to close out against the Kings and the future looks bright heading into the All Star game. An L in either one and we still look like the same ole Wiz. There is no excuse for this game. You cant say we're tired or anything. We have to win and we will, 111-101.
I'd feel bette about it though if Singelton wasnt starting but he probably will be again, espically against this team because of the matchups. Also have to be very careful about one guy. Weve got alot of Wiz killers in the NBA and theyve done it alot again this year. Another one of those guys is Michael Redd. He's been injuried and is an average bench player now but I wouldnt be shocked to see him come off and light it up against us like he use to
