Game Thread Wizard vs Celtics Wed, Apr 2 @ 7PM

[hands11]

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Playing to Clinch a Playoff Spot.

Wizards (38-36) vs Boston (23-51)

Last 10 games Wizards (5-5) L1 ... Boston (1-9) L5

http://espn.go.com/nba/preview?id=400489992

The Celtics have dropped 10 straight on the road but haven't lost to the Wizards in more than three seasons with Rondo, who will face Washington for the first time in 2013-14 on Wednesday night.

Boston (23-51) has won six straight over Washington with Rondo in the lineup since an 85-83 road loss Jan. 22, 2011. The Celtics have taken eight of the last nine meetings, splitting two this season.

Bostons last game played with Rondo vs Chicago
http://espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=400489970

Wizards need one more victory or a loss by New York to clinch.

Washington resembled two different teams Monday, shooting 58.5 percent in a 60-point first half and connecting on 36.8 percent of its shots after halftime.

Avery Bradley, who left with a sore Achilles.

PG: J. Wall 19.9 vs R. Rondo 11.5
SG: B. Beal 16.9 vs A. Bradley 14.2
SF: T. Ariza 14.8 vs J. Green 16.7
PF: T. Booker 6.3 vs B. Bass 10.9
C: K. Humphries 8.6 vs M. Gortat 12.8

Randy Whitman vs Brad Stevens

[MikeTheKid]

Hands on the helm, we clinch tonight

[FAH1223]

-------------------------AT-------------------------


Last game:
Wizards vs. Bobcats - (L) 94-100
Celtics - Bulls - (L) 80-94


Lineups:











Bench:

[Zonkerbl]

Slumping towards the playoffs.

[dlts20]

I just hope this doesnt turn into one of those things like the .500 mark where we got tight and took us forever to get over the hump. I wish we just stop being so mentally weak.

This is also the same type of game where Boston beat us at home last time when we were going for the over .500 mark and they were even a worse team then.

The good thing is that we finally have been playing good at home and the crowd is excited but I fear Wall not showing up against his big UK brother in Rondo. If Rondo was out then I think Wall plays big and we win but Im a lil worried now. No telling what to expect from these guys.

Ill say it again though, I wouldl feel 10x better if I knew the lineups were different. BK is 30-12 since going super small. We have no spacing alot of times but never go with Ariza at the 4. We never even go with Gooden or Al starting. Some people thought BK looked like the bettter team last time we played them even though we won but thats not true. It just looked good because they played small, were exciting, and passed well. If we went small then we would look better then them at it

[JWizmentality]

We haven't been to the playoffs in how long? I should be excited but I'm not...not in the very least. Now I know what Buck fans feel like. This club will have to show me something these last 9 games to get me excited...and quite frankly it doesn't bode well tonight.

[Sluggerface]

Nobody should be getting hype right now. Brad Stevens is going to bend Wittman over tonight.

[miller31time]

We haven't been to the playoffs in how long? I should be excited but I'm not...not in the very least. Now I know what Buck fans feel like. This club will have to show me something these last 9 games to get me excited...and quite frankly it doesn't bode well tonight.

I agree. But the problem is that we're in the extreme minority. Most Wizards fans don't follow the team as closely as us and because of that, when the team makes the playoffs once every decade, it's nothing but positive. "How can yo be so negative, look at the improvement from last year's record!" Or "how can you say the team is peaking at mediocrity when our two best players are two of our youngest!"

They don't really see salaries or age of veterans or lack of draft picks or GM incompetence because the bottom line isn't bad - playoffs. And it's not like they're going to do a little digging and uncover anything.

[queridiculo]

Booker has been a major disappointment in the starting PF role. I'd really like to see Wittman shake things up and give Gooden a start alongside Gortat.

Defensively it's a push, and offensively we'd have much better spacing out there with Gooden being a legit threat to knock down 12-15 footers.

[Illmatic21]

Taking a break from watching games.. let me know when they clinch

[hands11]

I just hope this doesnt turn into one of those things like the .500 mark where we got tight and took us forever to get over the hump. I wish we just stop being so mentally weak.

This is also the same type of game where Boston beat us at home last time when we were going for the over .500 mark and they were even a worse team then.

The good thing is that we finally have been playing good at home and the crowd is excited but I fear Wall not showing up against his big UK brother in Rondo. If Rondo was out then I think Wall plays big and we win but Im a lil worried now. No telling what to expect from these guys.

Ill say it again though, I wouldl feel 10x better if I knew the lineups were different. BK is 30-12 since going super small. We have no spacing alot of times but never go with Ariza at the 4. We never even go with Gooden or Al starting. Some people thought BK looked like the bettter team last time we played them even though we won but thats not true. It just looked good because they played small, were exciting, and passed well. If we went small then we would look better then them at it

I had that in the original post for the game thread and removed it for fear on jinxing them.

Opps. To late..

And then the FAH posting the first post like he started the game thread...

Not looking good. If we go down, now we know where to look... bad mojo is a foot.

I think we might need a double dose of lov-a-bulls or we are in trouble.

[hands11]

Adorable Kitten Good Luck Charm

[dlts20]

Beal has maybe been the worst home player in the league lately. He's been straight awful there but he's also pretty streaky and he's coming off his best game in awhile so I wouldnt be shocked if he had a great game tonight, maybe being our best player again. The question then is will Wall play well because they still havent played great together much.

One thing about tonight's game is it could be one of those things where Wall is super passive after going 4-16, taking some criticism, and people talking about the 2nd unit moving the ball better. I could see Wall force passing. That may workout some at home if Beal and others are on but I hope he doesnt stay that way if he does

[hands11]

[hands11]

[hands11]

[hands11]

The knobby head of Al Harrington is a good curse breaker.

Specially after calling a team meeting.

[Hypnotizer]

Booker has been a major disappointment in the starting PF role. I'd really like to see Wittman shake things up and give Gooden a start alongside Gortat.

Defensively it's a push, and offensively we'd have much better spacing out there with Gooden being a legit threat to knock down 12-15 footers.

I don't think Randy will change anything till Nene is back. I miss big Brazilian btw, we look so much better with him.

[dlts20]

Book is due for a great game, isnt he?

[dangermouse]

Adorable Kitten Good Luck Charm

Oh look, he fell down

Just like the Wizards game when we have a lead going into the second half!