Game Thread: Wizards vs Boston in DC 1PM Jan 22

[hands11]

http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/preview?gameId=320122027

The Celtics are unsure if they will have Rondo back Sunday on the road when they try to improve to 3-0 against the Wizards this season.

Boston (5-9) matched its lowest scoring output in eight seasons in Friday's 79-71 home loss to Phoenix

Coach Doc Rivers did not put a timetable on Rondo's return, hoping he will be available Sunday. Without their point guard, the Celtics struggled to get into an offensive rhythm.

The Celtics' lone road victory in five tries was their 94-86 win at the Verizon Center to open that set as Rondo had a triple-double.

"We're playing better than a week ago," coach Flip Saunders said.

The Wizards, however, have upped the tempo to average 105.0 points in their last three games after failing to reach 100 in their first 12 contests.

Wall is averaging 15.0 points and 8.0 assists against Boston this season. He had a season-high 10 assists Friday.

The improved offense has resulted in better production from top scorer Nick Young, averaging 22.3 points on this homestand.

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Another big game. They all are when you start the year as poorly as they did. A win gives them 2 wins the in last 3 games and gives them momentum. A loss and things look not nearly as good.

I thought they would win this game even with Rondo so without him, Wiz should take this game.

Celtics are 5-9 with two of those wins coming against the Wizards earlier in the season, 1 win against Det, 1 against NJ and 1 against Tor. Even with Rondo they were not that good.

Two wins in three games with a win against the team with the best record in the league and the loss against a very good Denver team ( lost by 4 pts down the stretch.... That would be vast improvement from how they started the year.

[whataknight301]

well, hands11; the game thread is yours today.. Im 1 and done..

[hands11]

whataknight301

They lost. Had they won, everyone would expect you to do the next game thread.

I started one because it was three hrs before the game on game day and no thread. Had I started the last one and they lost, I would only start the next one if it was actually tip off and there wasn't one.

When the board is down on the team, not many people line up to start one. When they start winning, people will want to do it more. If that happens, we will likely have a thread where people are lining up to do it. We haven't had that problem this year.

It being a big football day and Sunday, I expect a light crowd today.

[closg00]

1PM games = %100 chance of a loss.

[dlts20]

well, hands11; the game thread is yours today.. Im 1 and done..

that may be the longest streak all year

[sfam]

I want a game within 10 points. I think we have an outside chance of winning this, but I'm guessing the 3 star speech may have worn off a bit much by now.

[dlts20]

yeah, we suck at 1pm games but we have a shot for 2 reasons. 1 is that Rondo is a no go again and 2 is KG although that thing is a major 50/50. Im speaking of Dray ofcourse. Maybe KG is the guy for Dray to break out his slump against. His idol who he doesnt get along with and seems to try to bring his game against all the time.

Still, he's also had a couple of stinkers against them. With no Rondo and a hopefully motivated Dray, I like our chances but you honestly dont know which Wiz team will showup from game to game and even then they still never seem to play 4 quarters of good ball

[hands11]

If they lose with no Rondo then I expect dark times on the boards. Even worse then they have been.

I checked the Boston board. Most of them are pretty down on the team. Boston had a good run but it is obviously over and they realize that.

KG is winding down. Allen is still performing very well for his age but they just don't have the legs to run with a younger NBA. The short season with lots of game is not good for a team like Boston.

I hope they take a look at bringing Allen here. I would add him for a couple years. Total professional and a great shooter. If they like Mason they would love Ray Allen. He hasn't shown any signs of slowing down as a shooter. If anything, he is getting more efficient. Maybe he could help teach some of the Wizards younger players. He is an East coast player so maybe he wants to put in a few more years on the East coast. If Boston continues to take, maybe they can even get that done this year.

[closg00]

yeah, we suck at 1pm games but we have a shot for 2 reasons. 1 is that Rondo is a no go again and 2 is KG although that thing is a major 50/50. Im speaking of Dray ofcourse. Maybe KG is the guy for Dray to break out his slump against. His idol who he doesnt get along with and seems to try to bring his game against all the time.

Still, he's also had a couple of stinkers against them. With no Rondo and a hopefully motivated Dray, I like our chances but you honestly dont know which Wiz team will showup from game to game and even then they still never seem to play 4 quarters of good ball

Ahh, just saw that Rondo was a scratch, that obviously helps. Greg Stiemsma had a career game against us, can't let that happen again.

[mohammed10]

It's been a while for me, but will there be an online chat link, or is this it?

[mohammed10]

Ahh...we can always depend on Blatche taking 15-20 ft contested jumpers

[80sballboy]

Even if Rondo isn't playing, they still have 3 HOFers. Will be a tough game.

[hands11]

NIck off to a good start.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Nick really is working hard out there.

I can tell they are trying harder to swing the ball and get several players touches.

[Wizards2Lottery]

It's amazing how much of athleticism Blatche has lost. There was a time he could routinely blow by Garnett or dribble into the post from 15 ft out. Watching him and Garnett, you would think Garnett is the 25 year old and Blatche is 40.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Off topic, but Joe Paterno died. Lots of dying going on, lately. Sarah Burke got me down a bit.

[hands11]

Why does Wall even take that shot. Come on John. That is not your game.

[DallasShalDune]

Buck needs to do an entire game in Chinese.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

The Cs are screening the daylights out the Wiz

[80sballboy]

Buck needs to do an entire game in Chinese.

That would be worth it (or Mandarin).