RealGM

WASHINGTON WIZARDS (0-1)


STARTING LINEUP


BOSTON CELTICS (0-2)


STARTING LINEUP


GAME INFORMATION

Gametime: 7:00pm (EST)
Television: CSN; CSN-HD
Radio: 106.7 FM; 1500 AM


Verizon Center, Washington D.C

Miller's Key Matchup


VS.

Analysis: The key matchup to this game will be the unheralded AJ Price squaring off against one of the game's premier playmakers -- Rajon Rondo. Price is coming off of a disappointing 3-13 performance. He nailed a clutch three while getting fouled in the process last game against the Cavaliers but couldn't find the bottom of the net afterwards. Rondo is coming off of a very Rondonian offensive output with 14 points, 11 assists and 4 rebounds but defensively was bested by counterpart Brandon Jennings of the Bucks who poured in 21 points and dished out a career-high 13 assists as Milwaukee handed the vaunted Celtics their 2nd straight loss and an 0-2 record.

Rondo is the engine that powers Boston. The ball is in his hands 99% of the time and it is his job to create opportunities for his teammates. If Price can slow him down, the Wizards will have a shot in their home opener. For Price, he needs to play within himself, take only open shots and let the game come to him. If I were Randy Wittman, I'd start Jordan Crawful...I mean, Chuckford....shoot, I mean Crawford! Price is not a true point guard and clearly isn't a capable ball-handler. Crawford would love nothing more than to have the ball in his care every second of every minute of every game. I'd love for Beal to come in as the 6th man with less burden on his shoulders.

They are going to murder us. If we lose by 1-10 points, consider this a victory. If we lose by 11-20 points, a tie. 21 or more a loss. That will even the odds and make it exciting.

Finally another game! Geeze!

Boston by 15, 103-88

Seeing the Price vs Rondo match-up, damn!!

What's killed us in the past Boston was Rondo penetrating and finding a wide open Ray Allen as well as Pierce's ability to score at will. Ariza should be able to slow down Pierce so it will come down to our defenders closing out well against Lee and Terry. I think it will be a closer game than ppl expect.

jivelikenice wrote:What's killed us in the past Boston was Rondo penetrating and finding a wide open Ray Allen as well as Pierce's ability to score at will. Ariza should be able to slow down Pierce so it will come down to our defenders closing out well against Lee and Terry. I think it will be a closer game than ppl expect.

+1

I will add to that a couple days of practice and reflection after getting killed on the boards may energize the big men. Okafor can outmuscle KG at C. Booker will certainly have a better game in his home debut as a starter. Vesely can have an impact. Seraphin will be able to score inside.

Would not shock me to see the Wizards win this, because the Cs are still trying to find an identity and they are an older team with high expectations. They'll be shocked if guys like Webster, Singleton, Ariza, Beal, and Price or Pargo start raining threes; unlike Wizards that Boston faced in the past.

I expect the Wizards will win ...

I would have to agree with putting the ball in Crawfords hands as the PG more because, that is what I have already been posting for a while

But Beal off the bench. Not sure I would do that. What I would do it match Beal with Crawford because that is most likely the best way to find Beal open after Crawford drives and dishes.

So if your not going to start Crawford at PG, then yeah, bring Beal off the bench.

With the Celtics on a back-to-back, I like our chances. However, at the same time, the Celtics will likely be angry after last nights debacle. My gut says that this will be a close game, but we will lose a nail biter at the end.

I'd have to say I agree to a degree with willbcocks in the fact that the Celtics will be coming out for blood in this game since they've already started the season 0-2. But to keep things a little positive it will be our home opener, we may have Seraphin back, the Celtics will be playing the second of a back-to-back, and I expect Booker to have a big rebound game after the dud he threw in the first game. We don't have the fire power to out duke them with Wall and Nene out, if we keep this a low scoring ugly affair maybe we can have a shot in the dark.

If Kevin is back I feel like we'll keep it reasonably close. I'll predict 101-94 Celtics.

Rondo will have a triple double. Crawford will jack up 20+ shots but we may not get dominated in paint as much as we did against Cleveland. Boston has a smaller front line and Bass is a comparable matchup for Booker. I suspect Boston will jump to early lead and will hold us off the rest of the game. Boston 92-79.

They need to put Crawford in there at PG.

I predict. I have no idea what we will see.

Just to early with to many new pieces on the team. Even counting Kevin who didn't play last game as a new piece to some degree. Specially since what we saw him do really well last year was only for a part of the year. Hell, even Booker is somewhat a new piece. He missed some pre season and missed the close of last year.

Beal, Kevin S, Webster, Okafor, Trevor A, Barron, Price, Pargo

Hell, even Nene is somewhat of a new piece.

That 8 players on a 13 player active roster. 9 ish when Nene returns.

And they have a new Head Coach. This team is just getting started with this new roster.

I believe Randy addressed things in practice over the last 3 days. From what I read and heard, they played way differently last game then they had been practicing. I expect them to look better. I expect much better D, better passing and much better intensity from the start of the game. And less hero ball.

They could even win. But who really knows. Just to little data to make any kind of worthy prediction. At least that is my take on things.

so who going to make the 2012-13 draft lotto thread?

Knighthonor wrote:so who going to make the 2012-13 draft lotto thread?

I think the "CCJ was right" thread might be the draft thread.

Wizards win 150-32

Listening to the hype man introduce our roster to the crowd, you could hear a pin drop after he announces each name.

We have some terrible fans.

miller31time wrote:Listening to the hype man introduce our roster to the crowd, you could hear a pin drop after he announces each name.

We have some terrible fans.

Wow, yeah a pretty sorry introduction. Yikes.

Doesn't sound like their is anyone there at all.