Gamethread: Toronto @ Washington

Post #1 » by **nate33** » Wed Jan 7, 2009 4:12 pm

Date: Wednesday, January 7
Time: 7:00 PM
Place: Verizon Center
TV: Comcast Sportsnet Plus
Radio: WTEM

Toronto is playing their second consecutive game on the road and they're without Calderon and O'Neal. Toronto lost in MIlwaukee Monday night but they beat Houston and Orlando at home in the previous two games. They're losers of 14 of their last 20 games overall. The Wizards won 3 of 4 against Toronto last year, and they've won 8 of their last 9 against Toronto at the Verizon center.

Bargnani has been playing well, averaging 21.0 points in his last 4 games as a starter. He has made 12 of 21 threes during that stretch. Bosh has also broken out of his midseason slump, averaging 26 points in his last 6 games.

The Wizards are on a back-to-back with their last game on the road in Orlando so they won't be well rested. The Wizards have won 3 of their last 7 games (4 of 7 once you adjust for the screw job by the refs in the first Cleveland game). Wins have included Cleveland, OKC and @Houston. Losses were @New Orleans, @Orlando, @Boston and @Cleveland - not exactly a cakewalk schedule. Indeed, the Wizards have played the toughest schedule in the league. Ironically, the Raptors have played the second-toughest schedule.

Wizards lineup:
PG Mike James
SG Caron Butler
SF Dominic McGuire
PF Antawn Jamison
C Andray Blatche

Toronto lineup:
PG Will Solomon
SG Anthony Parker
SF Jamario Moon
PF Chris Bosh
C Andrea Bargnani

NbdyBeatsTheWiz · Post #2 » by **NbdyBeatsTheWiz** » Wed Jan 7, 2009 5:08 pm

I haven't heard a peep about Jamario in many many moons (too easy). Has he fallen off this year?

As long as Parker doesn't go off with 3balls like he has in the past we should be decent.

Wizards2Lottery · Post #3 » by **Wizards2Lottery** » Wed Jan 7, 2009 6:26 pm

It's college night tonight. Tickets are only $10. Me and my buddy are going. Anyone else?

HSOB SIRHC · Post #4 » by **HSOB SIRHC** » Wed Jan 7, 2009 6:26 pm

Toronto played last night? You might want to check that again. Also it looks like Moon will not be playing.

Good luck tonight.

closg00 · Post #5 » by **closg00** » Wed Jan 7, 2009 6:38 pm

On-paper we should win tonight.

Post #6 » by **nate33** » Wed Jan 7, 2009 6:44 pm

HSOB SIRHC wrote:Toronto played last night? You might want to check that again. Also it looks like Moon will not be playing.

Good luck tonight.

Thanks. I fixed it.

Toronto played Monday night. Washington played Tuesday night. Toronto should be more rested.

MOrgil · Post #7 » by **MOrgil** » Wed Jan 7, 2009 9:21 pm

as long as we keep bosh in check, we should be able to beat the raps without calderon and o'neal. I might actually watch this game tonight.

Spicy P · Post #8 » by **Spicy P** » Wed Jan 7, 2009 9:34 pm

Jamario Moon is out for tonight. Joey Graham will be starting in his place. So make that three of five starters sitting out. Wizards have a good chance of taking this.

yungal07 · Post #9 » by **yungal07** » Wed Jan 7, 2009 9:49 pm

SalamiNCheez wrote:Jamario Moon is out for tonight. Joey Graham will be starting in his place. So make that three of five starters sitting out. Wizards have a good chance of taking this.

We have 3 starters out too, so don't use that as an excuse.

Post #10 » by **miller31time** » Wed Jan 7, 2009 9:56 pm

Uh oh, Bargs vs. Blatche.

Call the papers.

Post #11 » by **LyricalRico** » Wed Jan 7, 2009 9:56 pm

SalamiNCheez wrote:Jamario Moon is out for tonight. Joey Graham will be starting in his place. So make that three of five starters sitting out. Wizards have a good chance of taking this.

Actually the Wiz have a history of losing to short-handed teams, especially Toronto. I wouldn't be surprised if ya'll beat us by double figures. That being said, the Wiz really need to win this game if they're going to start a streak. This is their shot to get back into the playoff hunt.

It's funny how this time of year is generally considered to be "make-or-break" for this team. From the famous "let's get greedy" and "harvest your nuts while you can" quotes to this being a sort of last stand for this particular season, Jamuary seems to always be a big month for us.

Pass_The_Sticks · Post #12 » by **Pass_The_Sticks** » Wed Jan 7, 2009 10:05 pm

Gilbert0Arenas wrote:It's college night tonight. Tickets are only $10. Me and my buddy are going. Anyone else?

Stephen Curry

long suffrin' boulez fan · Post #13 » by **long suffrin' boulez fan** » Wed Jan 7, 2009 10:35 pm

nate33 wrote:Date: Wednesday, January 7
Time: 7:00 PM
Place: Verizon Center
TV: Comcast Sportsnet Plus
Radio: WTEM

Toronto is playing their second consecutive game on the road and they're without Calderon and O'Neal. Toronto lost in MIlwaukee Monday night but they beat Houston and Orlando at home in the previous two games. They're losers of 14 of their last 20 games overall. The Wizards won 3 of 4 against Toronto last year, and they've won 8 of their last 9 against Toronto at the Verizon center.

Bargnani has been playing well, averaging 21.0 points in his last 4 games as a starter. He has made 12 of 21 threes during that stretch. Bosh has also broken out of his midseason slump, averaging 26 points in his last 6 games.

The Wizards are on a back-to-back with their last game on the road in Orlando so they won't be well rested. The Wizards have won 3 of their last 7 games (4 of 7 once you adjust for the screw job by the refs in the first Cleveland game). Wins have included Cleveland, OKC and @Houston. Losses were @New Orleans, @Orlando, @Boston and @Cleveland - not exactly a cakewalk schedule. Indeed, the Wizards have played the toughest schedule in the league. Ironically, the Raptors have played the second-toughest schedule.

Wizards lineup:
PG Mike James
SG Caron Butler
SF Dominic McGuire
PF Antawn Jamison
C Andray Blatche

Toronto lineup:
PG Will Solomon
SG Anthony Parker
SF Jamario Moon
PF Chris Bosh
C Andrea Bargnani

Will Solomon? Didn't he play for the Virginia Cavaliers in the mid 80s?

That's not a real imposing line up. But then again, neither is ours. Could be an interesting game.

Post #14 » by **miller31time** » Wed Jan 7, 2009 10:36 pm

Anyone wish we still had Michel Ruffin....just to add some intensity to this game?

Post #15 » by **Alfred** » Wed Jan 7, 2009 10:53 pm

Oh Michael Ruffin. You'll always hold a dear place in my heart :swoon:

Donkey McDonkerton · Post #16 » by **Donkey McDonkerton** » Wed Jan 7, 2009 10:59 pm

Spicy P · Post #17 » by **Spicy P** » Wed Jan 7, 2009 11:15 pm

yungal07 wrote:
SalamiNCheez wrote:Jamario Moon is out for tonight. Joey Graham will be starting in his place. So make that three of five starters sitting out. Wizards have a good chance of taking this.

We have 3 starters out too, so don't use that as an excuse.

Brendan Haywood, Gilbert Arenas and who else? I'm not using it as an excuse, the game hasn't even started yet. I think the Wizards have the better top 2 players (Jamison, Butler) than the Raptors (Bosh, Bargnani) and if you've ever seen Will "Solo-Man" (Mike James 2.0) start for the Raptors before, you'd understand. The guy thinks he's Kobe.

Morena R · Post #18 » by **Morena R** » Wed Jan 7, 2009 11:20 pm

Good luck to you guys you guys will most likely take this one 3 of our starters are not playing and one just got traded so really we only have one SG

dandridge 10 · Post #19 » by **dandridge 10** » Wed Jan 7, 2009 11:26 pm

boshprincess wrote:Good luck to you guys you guys will most likely take this one 3 of our starters are not playing and one just got traded so really we only have one SG

Obviously, you don't know the Wizards record against teams that are missing three or more of their starters. Its not good.

rockymac52 · Post #20 » by **rockymac52** » Wed Jan 7, 2009 11:47 pm

Michael Ruffin: Keeping the Toronto Raptors in the game no matter what it takes!