____________
________VS___________
_________19-8 Overall, 7-2 Last 10, Streak: L2____________________5-25 Overall, 1-9 Last 10, Streak L5
___________13-6 vs Eastern Conf, 6-4 Road________________________4-15 vs Eastern Conf, 3-12 Home
_________2nd Southeast Div / 3rd Eastern Conf____________________4th Atlantic Div / 14th Eastern Conf
Happy holidays to one and all.
Coming off of consecutive losses at home to Phoenix and Chicago, YOUR Washington Wizards hit the road for a Christmas noon time special against the New York Knickerbockers. This begins a stretch of 6 away games in the next 7 for the Wiz, who will start their Texas/OKC road swing on December 30th.
It's probably an understatement to say that this season has been a disappointment for the Knicks and their fans. The team is off to its worst start in franchise history. First year head coach Derek Fisher, brought in by Knicks President Phil Jackson, has struggled to get his squad to successfully implement the triangle. SF/PF Carmelo Anthony, who signed a 5-year, $124M deal in the off-season to stay with the Knicks, has been unable to coalesce the team around him. Anthony has been bothered by a sore knee in recent weeks, however will suit up versus the Wizards. The Knicks injury list, though, has been a long one. PG Iman Schumpert (shoulder) and C Andrea Bargnani (calf, hamstring) will not be playing. SG/SF J.R. Smith (heel) is doubtful for the game. The Knicks do get PF/C Amar'e Stoudemire back, after taking the last few games off to rest. Look for the Knicks to rely on Anthony, Stoudemire, and SG Tim Hardaway, Jr. to tally a lion's share of their points. On the defensive side of the ball, the Knicks are last in the NBA in defending the 3 and second-to-last in rebounding. They'll have to improve their defensive effort in order to maximize their chances for victory.
YOUR Washington Wizards' will seek to return to the formula that brought them early season success. This includes equal parts of a stifling team defense, an attacking mentality off of turnovers and boards, and crisp ball movement in offensive sets. Frankly, it also involves having an advantageous schedule, which includes match-ups against struggling teams like the Knicks. PG John Wall continues his outstanding play. His assist totals, however, are down in recent games owing to a lower fg shooting percentage from SG Bradley Beal, PF Kris Humphries, and SF Rasual Butler. All three were hitting shots at a high rate -- perhaps unsustainable rate -- in the early season. PF/C Nene is playing well coming off of the bench for head coach Randy Wittman.
Let's meet the starting lineups -- with one caveat. With all the ins and outs of the Knicks lineup, this is my *guess* as to who their starting lineup will be.
_____
_______PG John Wall, 6'4" (Kentucky)_________________PG Jose Calderon, 6'3" (Spain)
________17.8 ppg, 10.4 apg, 4.6 rpg____________________9.6 ppg, 4.2 apg, 3.4 rpg
_____
_______SG Bradley Beal, 6'5" (Florida)______________SG Tim Hardaway, Jr., 6'6" (Michigan)
________15.1 ppg, 3.0 apg, 3.3 rpg_____________________10.7 ppg, 1.5 apg, 1.7 rpg
_____
_______SF Paul Pierce, 6'8" (Kansas)_____________________SF Qincy acy, 6'7" (Baylor)
________13.1 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 2.3 apg_______________________5.2 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 1.1 apg
_____
____PF Kris Humphries, 6'9" (Minnesota)____________PF Carmelo Anthony, 6'8" (Syracuse)
________7.6 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 0.8 apg________________________23.7 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 2.2 apg
_____
______C Marcin Gortat, 6'11" (Poland)___________C Amar'e Stoudemire, 6''10" (Cypress Creek H.S.)
________13.1 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 1.5 bpg______________________13.4 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 1.1 bpg
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What: Wizards at Knicks
Where: Madison Square Garden -- New York, NY
When: 12:00 noon EST
TV: ESPN, ESPNGo App, Comcast SportsNet, Quasi-legal internet streams
Radio: WNEW 99.1 FM / WFED 1500 AM
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Noon games have always presented a problem for the Wizards. They always come out of the gate slow and sluggish. Can they, before national audience, get their mojo back and shake off recent struggles?
Drop your thoughts, predictions, and opinions below.
Go Wizards!
