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____________VS________

____36-35 (6th East/2nd Southeast Div)__________________52-20 (1st East/1st Central Div)
_________17-17 home, 25-16 vs East_________________________19-16 Road, 35-9 vs East
__________4-6 Last 10, Streak: L2 ___________________________6-4 Last 10, Streak: W1


Losers of four of their last five games, representing the most powerful city in the world, YOUR Washington Wizards take to the court against the visiting Indiana Pacers. The Pacers currently lead the Eastern Conference and have already clinched a playoff berth. They come off of a hard-fought and physical win on Wednesday night against the Miami Heat.

Leading the visitors are a skilled frontcourt trio of SF Paul George, PF David West, and Georgetown alum C Roy Hibbert. SG Lance Stephenson is a physical swingman who can also step out and hit the three from time-to-time. G/F Evan Turner provides depth off the Pacers bench.

Perhaps feeling the delayed effects of an injury to PF Nene Hilario, YOUR Wizards have hit a bit of a rough stretch. PG John Wall continues to play at a high level. However, the team is currently struggling on defense, giving up an average of 105 points in their last 5 games. Meanwhile, the Pacers play a good brand of defense, giving up an average of 91.7 per game -- good for third in the NBA.

Here are the starting lineups:

Line-Ups


________________________________________
_____________PG John Wall___________________________________PG George Hill
_____20.0 ppg (44% fg, 36% 3pt, 81% ft)___________________10.7 ppg (45% fg, 37% 3pt, 82% ft)
_____8.8 apg, 4.1 rpg, 1.9 spg, 0.5 bpg________.___________3.6 apg, 3.8 rpg, 1.0 spg, 0.3 bpg



________________________________________
_____________SG Bradley Beal______________________________SG Lance Stephenson
_____17.0 ppg (41% fg, 41% 3pt, 80% ft)___________________14.2 ppg (50% fg, 35% 3pt, 71% ft)
_____3.4 apg, 3.7 rpg, 1.0 spg, 0.2 bpg____________._______4.7 apg, 7.2 rpg, 0.7 spg, 0.1 bpg



________________________________________
_____________SF Trevor Ariza_________________________________SF Paul George
_____14.9 ppg (46% fg, 42% 3pt, 78% ft)___________________21.9 ppg (43% fg, 36% 3pt, 88% ft)
_____2.6 apg, 6.4 rpg, 1.7 spg, 0.3 bpg___________________3.5 apg, 6.6 rpg, 1.8 spg, 0.3 bpg



________________________________________
____________PF Trevor Booker________________________________PF David West
______6.4 ppg (54% fg, 0% 3pt, 57% ft)__________-________13.9 ppg (48% fg, 31% 3pt, 78% ft)
_____5.6 rpg, 0.9 apg, 0.5 spg, 0.6 bpg__________________6.8 rpg, 2.8 apg, 0.8 spg, 0.9 bpg



________________________________________
_____________C Marcin Gortat__________________________________C Roy Hibbert
_____12.9 ppg (54% fg, 100% 3pt, 69% ft)__________________11.3 ppg (46% fg, 40% 3pt, 78% ft)
___-__9.3 rpg, 1.7 apg, 0.4 spg, 1.5 bpg___________________7.0 rpg, 1.2 apg, 0.4 spg, 2.3 bpg


---------------------------------------

This is the home stretch. For any Eastern Conference team that's not named Indiana or Miami (or Milwaukee, Philadelphia, Orlando or Boston), these final games are crucial for playoff positioning. Given the frontcourt skill of the Pacers versus the Wizards relative weakness among their bigs, this game looks to be an uphill battle. The teams have played twice before this season, both times in Indiana, with the Pacers trouncing the Wiz by 20 and 27 points, respectively.

But your Wizards have done it before -- defied expectations -- on beating some of the NBA's elite teams. Given the importance of this game, can YOUR Washington Wizards fine a way to beat the Pacers?

Post your thoughts and comments below.

What: Washington Wizards at Indiana Pacers
When: 7:00 p.m. EST
Where: Verizon Center -- Washington, DC
Radio: WFED-AM, 1500, 106.7 TheFan
TV: CSN, NBATV, NBA League Pass, Quasi-legal internet streams

Let's go Wizards!

theyve killed us twice but the 1st time we were a hot team coming in but that was our 1st game without Nene for that stretch. We started JV and we had the worst bench in the league. The 2nd game we had Nene but he was playing off the bench and Book was starting.

Theyve killed us both times because of lack of talent and most of all, floor spacing. The idiot Witt will finally change the lienup this game. The only guy he would replace is Book and the only 2 guys he would replace him with are Gooden & Al. I think he felt confident having consistent points off the bench in Gooden but I still dont think he trust Al's knee or game enough. He also still wants to play big and hates playing small so I think Gooden will get the start.

This game is 50/50. Gooden will help a ton but its the worst team to start with. We could be a way better team with Drew starting but still look like crap against this team in the 1st game. All in all the key will be can Gooden consistently hit a J from distance. If he can stretch the D, while stil giving us an inside presence and rebounding then we could take a huge jump and look like a super dangerous team. You add that to Nene coming off the bench with Dre & Webster? That could be a beast lineup but it comes down to can Gooden space the floor more and if not, can he atleast be a consistently good player. I have no doubt he will be the ladder and be much better then book but if he doesnt space the floor then we still wont reach our full potential.

All in all, if it works to the best of its ability then to me we are the 3rd best team in the East and will give both Mia & Ind hell in round 2 while also finishing the regular season very strong

No chance to win this one. May as well not even play. We should just trot out Garrett Temple, Glen Rice Jr., Otto Porter, Al Harrington and Drew Gooden and rest everyone else.

The one thing we can count on is that Beal won't crack the 50% mark from the floor. He has now played 14 consecutive games with a FG% below .500. That's the 3rd longest streak in the league this year (of players with 10 or attempts per game) and the longest active streak. (Although to be fair, in 4 of those games, his eFG% barely cracked .500 due to the number of 3's he made.)

nate33 wrote:No chance to win this one. May as well not even play. We should just trot out Garrett Temple, Glen Rice Jr., Otto Porter, Al Harrington and Drew Gooden and rest everyone else.

The one thing we can count on is that Beal won't crack the 50% mark from the floor. He has now played 14 consecutive games with a FG% below .500. That's the 3rd longest streak in the league this year (of players with 10 or attempts per game) and the longest active streak. (Although to be fair, in 4 of those games, his eFG% barely cracked .500 due to the number of 3's he made.)

Couple that with the fact that he's one of the better set shooters in the league (not going by numbers, just my lying eyes) and you really get a sense that Bradley has no idea what he's doing out there.

As a side note, how many times this season has Beal actually scored when he and Gortat/Nene play the ol' "big man sets screen then Beal runs around like a chicken with his head cut off until he gets an inch of separation from the defender" play?

I'm going to this game so... fingers crossed for the upset.

I feel for our guys but I have to hope for continued losing and apathy.

dlts20 wrote:
All in all, if it works to the best of its ability then to me we are the 3rd best team in the East and will give both Mia & Ind hell in round 2 while also finishing the regular season very strong

Dude let it go. Toronto is clearly better than us. We aren't third in anything, and even if we were, it doesn't mean much. Third in the East is 11th in the West.

20 point blowout. Indiana is flat out better.

I don't have confidence in the Pacers winning in the East though. I feel they're frauds. George has struggled, Hibbert only plays well vs. one team (HEAT), and George Hill is so damn passive and afraid.

Stephenson has that fire you want but he's reckless with the turnovers. George is too.

West is aging, still very solid and he normally goes off vs. the Wizards whether he's with IND or when he was with NOLA.

Game #72 and we have a team that's barely .500 in the weakest Eastern conference in years...

If the Wiz had SVG instead of elementary Wittman, we might win this game.

TGW wrote:

dlts20 wrote:
All in all, if it works to the best of its ability then to me we are the 3rd best team in the East and will give both Mia & Ind hell in round 2 while also finishing the regular season very strong

Dude let it go. Toronto is clearly better than us. We aren't third in anything, and even if we were, it doesn't mean much. Third in the East is 11th in the West.

Toronto is playing worse ball than BK & Chi right now. Also, Im sick of people bringing ujp the West crap. Who cares? Why care about being 11 in the West if we arent in the West? We wont be in the West next year or the year after and as far as I can tell, the champs are still in the East. Argubably the 2 best teams are in the East. You can take leaps in this league. Get a new coach and things will change but we are capable of being alot better now even with dimwitt

FAH1223 wrote:20 point blowout. Indiana is flat out better.

I don't have confidence in the Pacers winning in the East though. I feel they're frauds. George has struggled, Hibbert only plays well vs. one team (HEAT), and George Hill is so damn passive and afraid.

Stephenson has that fire you want but he's reckless with the turnovers. George is too.

West is aging, still very solid and he normally goes off vs. the Wizards whether he's with IND or when he was with NOLA.

Game #72 and we have a team that's barely .500 in the weakest Eastern conference in years...

Just like I told TGW about Tornoto; the Pacers are also playing there worst ball of the year. They were 5-7 in there last 12 before the Heat game. Alot of fans, including guys on this board were acting like Paul George is 10x better then Wall and he has came way back to earth. Wall is the best player in this game and if George is not star studded then the Pacers arent nearly as dominant. He was playing over his head and thats why Indy also was

TBH, the skill level of the Pacers' bigs vs ours is intimidating. This is one game where I wouldn't have any heartburn seeing John Wall go on his one-man 1-3 fast breaks. Even if he doesn't convert every time, it'll still be better than the shots we end up getting against a dug-in Indy defense.

We got this.

dlts20 wrote:

TGW wrote:

dlts20 wrote:
All in all, if it works to the best of its ability then to me we are the 3rd best team in the East and will give both Mia & Ind hell in round 2 while also finishing the regular season very strong

Dude let it go. Toronto is clearly better than us. We aren't third in anything, and even if we were, it doesn't mean much. Third in the East is 11th in the West.

Toronto is playing worse ball than BK & Chi right now. Also, Im sick of people bringing ujp the West crap. Who cares? Why care about being 11 in the West if we arent in the West? We wont be in the West next year or the year after and as far as I can tell, the champs are still in the East. Argubably the 2 best teams are in the East. You can take leaps in this league. Get a new coach and things will change but we are capable of being alot better now even with dimwitt

We're playing worst than BK and Chicago too, so what's your point? Toronto is still clearly the third best in the East and still better than the Wizards. And secondly, I brought up the West to give you some perspective on how average this team team is, and that being third in the East this year is not trophy worthy.

But that's beside the point because the Wizards ARE NOT the 3rd best team in the East, so the point is moot anyway.

TGW wrote:

dlts20 wrote:

TGW wrote:
Dude let it go. Toronto is clearly better than us. We aren't third in anything, and even if we were, it doesn't mean much. Third in the East is 11th in the West.

Toronto is playing worse ball than BK & Chi right now. Also, Im sick of people bringing ujp the West crap. Who cares? Why care about being 11 in the West if we arent in the West? We wont be in the West next year or the year after and as far as I can tell, the champs are still in the East. Argubably the 2 best teams are in the East. You can take leaps in this league. Get a new coach and things will change but we are capable of being alot better now even with dimwitt

We're playing worst than BK and Chicago too, so what's your point? Toronto is still clearly the third best in the East and still better than the Wizards. And secondly, I brought up the West to give you some perspective on how average this team team is, and that being third in the East this year is not trophy worthy.

But that's beside the point because the Wizards ARE NOT the 3rd best team in the East, so the point is moot anyway.

regular season doesnt decide who the 3rd best team in the East is. The playoffs do. I know we are a long ways away from being a powerhouse. Thats why I said 3rd best in the East. That is still something solid to be. Then you build from there

dlts20 wrote:regular season doesnt decide who the 3rd best team in the East is. The playoffs do. I know we are a long ways away from being a powerhouse. Thats why I said 3rd best in the East. That is still something solid to be. Then you build from there

I'm sorry but I'm not getting what you're saying at all. So the Wizards are the 3rd best team once the playoffs start? Okay...I mean a guy can dream. If you believe that, then run with it. You're a Wiz fan and I don't want to jump down your throat man.

I still think Toronto and Chicago are definitely better teams this year (and once Rose comes back it won't be remotely close between the Wiz and the Bulls), and that the Wizards need more than fairy dust and hope to become a contender. They need more talent, period. And right now, they don't have enough.

and the snowball keeps rolling down the mountain.

TGW wrote:

dlts20 wrote:regular season doesnt decide who the 3rd best team in the East is. The playoffs do. I know we are a long ways away from being a powerhouse. Thats why I said 3rd best in the East. That is still something solid to be. Then you build from there

I'm sorry but I'm not getting what you're saying at all. So the Wizards are the 3rd best team once the playoffs start? Okay...I mean a guy can dream. If you believe that, then run with it. You're a Wiz fan and I don't want to jump down your throat man.

I still think Toronto and Chicago are definitely better teams this year (and once Rose comes back it won't be remotely close between the Wiz and the Bulls), and that the Wizards need more than fairy dust and hope to become a contender. They need more talent, period. And right now, they don't have enough.

I mean before then but the record wont reflect it. Its not a guarantee. I said it can be if Witt puts the right lineups out. Ive been screaming to move Book for the longest and he's just now getting around to it. I also mean that you say Chi & Tor are better then us but if we beat them in the 1st round then are they really better then us? Are they really the 3rd best team still? Or is it just a regular season record thing. If Witt does the lineups right, we will get out the 1st. I want the Raps just to shut there fans up and our own who think they are so legit and that Lowry is better than Wall but I would hate to be on NBA TV every game without much casual buzz........lol

JWizmentality wrote:and the snowball keeps rolling down the mountain.

Snowballs are white. The wiz are playing like something considerably... browner.

dlts20 wrote:

TGW wrote:

dlts20 wrote:
All in all, if it works to the best of its ability then to me we are the 3rd best team in the East and will give both Mia & Ind hell in round 2 while also finishing the regular season very strong

Dude let it go. Toronto is clearly better than us. We aren't third in anything, and even if we were, it doesn't mean much. Third in the East is 11th in the West.

Toronto is playing worse ball than BK & Chi right now. Also, Im sick of people bringing ujp the West crap. Who cares? Why care about being 11 in the West if we arent in the West? We wont be in the West next year or the year after and as far as I can tell, the champs are still in the East. Argubably the 2 best teams are in the East. You can take leaps in this league. Get a new coach and things will change but we are capable of being alot better now even with dimwitt

Dimwitt.

Excellent. Descriptive and succinct.

Much better than Raisins.

From here forward, our coach shall be referred to as Dimwitt.