_____
______VS_________
__7-2 Overall (0-0 vs West), Streak: W3______________7-3 Overall (2-1 vs East), Streak: W3
__1st Southeast Div / 2nd Eastern Conf________________3rd Southwest Div / 5th Western Conf
It feels as though the Wizards are playing an NFL schedule, with what seems like a week between games. Following a workman-like win on Saturday night vs the Orlando Magic, YOUR Washington Wizards gear up for their first game against a Western Conference opponent this season and the visiting Dallas Mavericks. The Mavs (as this is written) are coming off of a 131-117 ABA-style win versus the Minnesota T-Wolves, including 30 from SG Monta Ellis. Perennial all-star and future Hall of Famer PF Dirk Nowitzki is averaging 20.3 points (27.6 PER) for Dallas.
Let's meet the starting lineups.
_____
_______PG John Wall, 6'4" (Kentucky)_______________PG Jameer Nelson, 6'0" (St. Joseph's)
________19.4 ppg, 9.1 apg, 3.9 rpg______________________6.7 ppg, 3.9 apg, 2.3 rpg
_____
_______SG Garrett Temple, 6'6" (LSU)__________________SG Monta Ellis, 6'3" (Lanier H.S.)
________9.1 ppg, 2.1 apg, 3.9 rpg________________________18.4 ppg, 4.4 apg, 2.6 rpg
_____
_______SF Paul Pierce, 6'8" (Kansas)__________________SF Chandler Parsons, 6'9" (Florida)
________11.8 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 2.8 apg_______________________14.0 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 2.1 apg
_____
_______PF Nene Hilario, 6'11" (Brazil)_________________PF Dirk Nowitzki, 6'11" (Germany)
________12.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 2.8 apg________________________20.3 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 2.4 apg
_____
_______C Marcin Gortat, 6'11" (Poland)____________C Tyson Chandler, 7'1" (Dominguez H.S.)
________13.3 ppg, 9.1 rpg, 1.3 bpg______________________11.2 ppg, 10.4 rpg, 1.7 bpg
For Wizards fans, this game may mark one of the last in the "Garrett Temple Starting" era for a while. SG Bradley Beal is scheduled to start practicing this week following pre-season surgery to his non-shooting wrist and hopes to make his return to the lineup on Friday versus the Cleveland Cavs. In recent games, SG/SF Rasual Butler has filled in well. In fact the Wiz bench mob of Butler, PF Kris Humphries and SF Otto Porter have all contributed greatly to recent Washington efforts. Because of Nowitzki's mobility, don't be surprised if Wiz Head Coach Randy Wittman breaks out PF/C Drew Gooden at some point in the game as a defensive match-up.
And if you're a Dallas fan, you're invited to partake in the Wizards trolling and insults thread. Come in a good-natured spirit and drop your most clever, witty, and snarky bombs at the Wiz. It's a safe place, we invite it. (With fair warning that we'll give it as good as we take it.)
Yeah, the Polar Vortex is on its way in on Tuesday -- thanks for nothing, Ji. But it'll be warm within the confines of the Phone Booth. The Mavs seem to be the perfect (perfect meaning most difficult) match-up for the Wiz. A small, quick, and shifty PG. Mobile bigs who can score away from the basket. Mobile big in the middle who can challenge Gortat and also protect the rim.
Can YOUR Washington Wizards up their game versus one of the Association's quality teams? Post your thoughts and predictions here.
What: Wizards vs Mavericks
Where: Verizon Center -- Washington, DC
When: 7:00 p.m. Eastern
TV: Comcast Sportsnet, NBA League Pass, quasi-legal internet streams
Radio: 99.1 WNEW FM / WFED 1500 AM
Go Wizards!
