GT #32: Wizards @ Thunder 8 PM (CSN/99.1 FM) [1/2/2015]

[FAH1223]

YOUR Washington Bullets are 22-9! They are coming off a blowout loss to the Dallas Mavs which came on the back to back of a thrilling one point win in Houston.

The road trip continues with a Friday night matchup in OKC vs. the Sonics... I mean, Thunder! DC's own and NBA MVP Kevin Durant should be in the lineup and the Thunder feature MVP candidate Russell Westbrook and a much healthier roster that is aiming to make a run at a postseason spot in the loaded Western Conference. The Thunder host the Suns on New Years Eve.

Scott Brooks has benched Jeremy Lamb in favor of newcomer Ish Smith. Kendrick Perkins no longer starts and the superior Steven Adams has shown great improvement in his 2nd season at age 21. The Thunder have drafted extremely well in the past few years and they have a roster with the majority of players not having played anywhere else but OKC (or Seattle if you're KD and Collison).

Can Wall make a statement and out duel Westbrook? Will Randy have Pierce on KD or will we see Otto chase the NBA MVP around the court with his young legs and length?

And can the Wizards rebound the ball vs. the young front line of Ibaka and Adams?





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


I mean...


Last game:
Wizards vs. Mavs (L) 87-114
Suns vs. Thunder (W) 134-137 in OT


Lineups:











Bench:

[long suffrin' boulez fan]

Two top storylines:

1. Steven Adams has an excellent porn 'stache.

2. First of four last games for Durant playing AGAINST his future team.

[FAH1223]

KD dropped 44 tonight

And Westbrook vs Alex Len

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0UGehShXZU[/youtube]

[dlts20]

I hate it when refs try to make themselves the subject of the game. There was no reason at all to throw Westbrook out last night. That was just so petty

[nate33]

KD dropped 44 tonight

Remarkable.

44 points on 13/23 FG, 6/11 3PT, 12/12 FT. That's 44 points on 27 shots (he had 3 technical free throws and an And-1). He also had 7 assists and 5 turnovers. That's just not fair.

[jeffsays]

KD vs Paul Pierce ugghhhhh. Looking forward to seeing Westbrook vs Wall though. Should be a good one.

[Illmatic12]

Beal is out with a toe sprain. Loss.

We have to win the Pelicans game now, and we'll be in good shape after this trip.

[MOrgil]

Hopefully with Beal out, Webster and Butler get going, especially Butler, he needs to get his mojo back. The team must play great defense against Durant and Westbrook.

[Nivek]

There's also an epic battle of backup centers tonight. Last season, among centers with at least 500 minutes, Kendrick Perkins was the league's least productive with Seraphin being second least productive.

In 2012-13, Seraphin was the league's least productive center; Perkins was 9th least productive.

This season, Perkins is once again the league's least productive center; Seraphin is fifth least productive.

It's on like Donkey Kong.

Or something.

[JWizmentality]

Man, we need another elite player to pair with Wall.

[dlts20]

sucks because Brad usually plays well against them since they wanted to trade Harden for him. With that being said, this could be a blessing. Beal can be a Superstar at times but he also can be a role player a ton of times and in those cases he's no better then Butler or Webster anyways.

Also, in the past when Beal goes out, Wall tends to get more aggressive, especially with Westbrook looking to take his head off. It could be an epic matchup. Problem is I always felt confident against the beast wings in the past because I felt Ariza would play them tough. Pierce is competitive but doesnt move the same so I could see KD lighitng him up. On the flip side though, Pierce is capable of going off like Ariza isnt.

PS- Ill probably be in the house representing tonight.

[AFM]

There's also an epic battle of backup centers tonight. Last season, among centers with at least 500 minutes, Kendrick Perkins was the league's least productive with Seraphin being second least productive.

In 2012-13, Seraphin was the league's least productive center; Perkins was 9th least productive.

This season, Perkins is once again the league's least productive center; Seraphin is fifth least productive.

It's on like Donkey Kong.

Or something.

Don't you dare compare Seraphin to Perkins. Have you no shame? At least Seraphin is technically a basketball player. Perkins is just a 99th percentile body

[dlts20]

Beal is out with a toe sprain. Loss.

We have to win the Pelicans game now, and we'll be in good shape after this trip.

are you sure he's out tonight? I cant see any official confirmation

[Nivek]

There's also an epic battle of backup centers tonight. Last season, among centers with at least 500 minutes, Kendrick Perkins was the league's least productive with Seraphin being second least productive.

In 2012-13, Seraphin was the league's least productive center; Perkins was 9th least productive.

This season, Perkins is once again the league's least productive center; Seraphin is fifth least productive.

It's on like Donkey Kong.

Or something.

Don't you dare compare Seraphin to Perkins. Have you no shame? At least Seraphin is technically a basketball player. Perkins is just a 99th percentile body

Huge, if true.

[jeffsays]

beal is participating in the shootaround so he might be playing tonight.

[dlts20]

I have more faith in Beal than Nene. I bet Nene is out tonight and Beal plays

[dlts20]

Both Beal and Nene are playing tonight now so thats great and I think Beal will play very well

[pineappleheadindc]

We have to do whatever it takes to turn KD into a jump shooter. (Then, have the Wizards staff measure him for a new Wizards uniform).

[long suffrin' boulez fan]

sucks because Brad usually plays well against them since they wanted to trade Harden for him. With that being said, this could be a blessing. Beal can be a Superstar at times but he also can be a role player a ton of times and in those cases he's no better then Butler or Webster anyways.

Also, in the past when Beal goes out, Wall tends to get more aggressive, especially with Westbrook looking to take his head off. It could be an epic matchup. Problem is I always felt confident against the beast wings in the past because I felt Ariza would play them tough. Pierce is competitive but doesnt move the same so I could see KD lighitng him up. On the flip side though, Pierce is capable of going off like Ariza isnt.

PS- Ill probably be in the house representing tonight.

Godspeed surviving the inevitable, killer dust storm. Not to mention the petro chemical spill-fueled giant people eating lizards... I hear they are particularly thorny these days down there, as it's mating season.

[Kanyewest]

Man, we need another elite player to pair with Wall.

Rasual Butler?