GT #54 Final Game Before WALL-STAR: Bullets @ Raptors 7 PM (CSN/99.1 FM) [2/11/15]

[FAH1223]

YOUR Washington Bullets are 33-20 and have won two in a row over lowly Eastern Conference opponents!

And this is without Bradley Beal! It looks like it is November all over again.

The Wiz travel north of the border and hope to avoid another massacre at the hands of the Toronto Raptors. If you remember, the last time DC's squad went to the ACC, they got slaughtered and the game was over in the 2nd quarter.

The Raptors have only lost to the Wizards once in the last 6 matchups between the two. The Raptors also have to be at high confidence right now after they grinded out a close win over the defending NBA Champion Spurs.

WIll the Wizards finally beat the Raptors? Or will the game be over before half time again?

I'm betting the latter, unfortunately. Dwayne Casey seems to coach his guards to drive and kick or drive and get fouled, which rarely happens with our guards. The team also shoots 3s and gets in the paint. Where as the Wizards will fall in love with the long two as the Raps defense will give up. The Raptors also force tons of Wizards turnovers which has been the difference.

This could change if the Wizards big men can, you know, play like NBA bigs against this frontline. Or Wittman played Paul Pierce at PF to dictate the matchup as Jason Kidd did last year which produced fruitful results. The Truth has had big games vs. Toronto in the past.

But, Randy Wittman isn't going to do squat. We can only wish.

Enough with my rant, here's your projected lineups!




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

Last game:
Magic vs. Wizards - (W) 80-96
SA Spurs vs. Raptors - (W) 82-87

Lineups:






Bench:

[AFM]

Who is that guy next to Otto Porter and how many men has he killed?

[Morse Code]

Who is that guy next to Otto Porter and how many men has he killed?

[cammac]

Will be a tough game for both squads think the winner will have the coach who screws up the least.
Next to Porter is James Johnson while no confirmed kills could physically beat up every player on the Washington squad.
Toughest player in NBA.

[Tricky_Kid]

Tired of losing to Toronto team, this time won't be any exception. Miller vs Vasquez will be desaster... Dunno if Hump plays ?

[Higga]

Would be awesome to go into the break on a 3 game win streak, especially capped with a win in Toronto which has been a house of horrors for us for YEARS(even our good Arenas led teams against some bad Raptors teams struggled in Canada).

[RustyMagoo]

Not a good matchup for us.

[hands11]

Hopefully Randy has learned something the last two games and the last two loses to TOR.

TOR has come out and jumped on us draining early 3s. That means you really can't start Nene/Gortat if they start with a 3 point shooting spread line up. The Nene/Gortat combo can't extend far enough to cover and 2 < 3 so if TOR is hot from outside like they usually are when we can't cover their shooters, we will go down early again, gain momentum and put us in a hole like they usually do. Nene doesn't extend past the FT line and the 3 line is outside of that.

Casey has Randy's number. If he doesn't do anything different, Casey has the design to beat him. Randy can't just go with his standard starters until the 3 min mark stuff. He needs to be nimble like last game. If you need to sub at the 6 min mark for a player, do it. He has to actively manage the rotations depending on what TOR puts out there. 1-2 mins of lag could swing the game 6-8 pts. And quick time out when a run is made.

I would rather see Hump or Gooden start at PF with Gortat at center and us running PnR, PnP and Wall being aggressive driving with an more open floor and hitting wings for 3s.

Miller should get the night off. He is to slow to match up with their 2nd unit.

Otto should get the start at SG with Beal injured. If Beal can go, bring him off the bench to guard Terrence Ross.
Bring Temple off the bench to guard Lou.

Paul has been in a serious slump the last two games. If he doesn't have energy or he is dinged with the big toe, gotta pull him or he will hurt the team more then help.

Gotta play at their pace. You have no choice. They defend like we do with energy and that sets the pace on that side. If on offense, we aren't spreading the floor letting Wall be WallStar, running PnR to Gortat who should go for 20pts against Valanciunas and spreading the floor with Gooden, Rasual and Webster, then we likely lose again. Can't trade 2s for 3s with these guys and play our older slower players and expect to win.

Wizards have a deep roster... A WallStar and one of the better PnR combos in the league.

Use it.

Bring Nene in to body slam with Hansbrough. I know Nene doesn't enjoy it and Hansbrough is a PITA but it needs to be done. If not, let Kevin slam on him.

And really important. You need to sell the fouls against these guys. They do it so you have to do it as well. They are some flopper. If you are rubbing on a scream or going baseline and they body you, through you arms in the arm and fall sideways. If not, they just body you all night. I appreciate our guys just play the game and don't flop, but it hurts you against a team like TOR because they will draw at least 5-6 fouls that way. You have to do the same to them. Sad but true.

[jonazzz]

Potential ECF match up here.

With that being said, go Raptors

[payitforward]

Hard to imagine a game it'd be more satisfying to win than this one. It won't be easy, however. The Raptors are a better team than the Wizards, and we're playing in their house.

Doesn't mean it can't happen, however. Temple had an outstanding game vs. Orlando. If he is equally productive tonight, we have a very good chance to win. But, we'll need Butler to bounce back to his form vs. the Nets, and we'll need another good effort from Gooden as well.

Alas, I'm still in Florida and won't be able to watch the game.

Go Wizards!

[TheSecretWeapon]

My "who's gonna win" machine says Wizards have a 31% chance of winning this one. Based on results to-date, Wiz project to 50 wins.

[miller31time]

We couldn't beat them at our house while fully healthy. Can't imagine winning in Toronto without (potentially) Beal and Humphries. Hell, can't imagine winning in Toronto with them. They're just a terrible matchup for us in every conceivable way.

[TGW]

As much as I hate the Toronto Purple Barneys, I think they win this game. They also win ugliest team in NBA history as well.

[dlts20]

No disrespect to the Raps fans on here because they are very cool but they represent a very small minority. The majority of them are the worst, cockiest fans on realgm and they despise the fact that we went to the 2nd round last year while they couldnt. Their is literally no win in the whole league right now what would satisfy me more than beating them.

I still feel we are the most talented and welll rounded team in the East but wee are held back by Witt. I truly dont fear the Raps or Hawks at all if Witt just madde some obvious lineup adjustments but he cant/wont. Alot of people talk about how we own the Bulls, the Bulls own the Raps, and the Raps own us and I may be a home but I just feel like we will own the Bulls no matter what and the Bulls will own the Raps no matter what but the Raps dont have to own us. I feel like there is nothing the Bulls or Raps can do to changes those bad matchups but we can go small and or spread the floor on the raps and then its a totally different matchup but Witt wont do it.

Again, we only have beaten them once and that was the game Witt got ejected, Newman took over, went small, and did p&r with Gortat the whole time with shooter salll around Wall. They couldnt stop us. Its almost like Witt wont do it because it will be like admitting that Newman was smarter or something.

The good thing for us is James Johnson is starting. Ive watched alot of him and the Raps this year. JJ is a beast of a player who is much better then Ross or GV. He has there board going crazy now thinking they will kill everyone after the Spurs game. They did play greeat D but I think some of it was the Spurs being crappy. The good thing for us isttht despite him being a better player then the other guys, he also plays more to our strenths. They wont be able to spread the floor on us as much as normal so I think our regular lineup could do better this game against thhem then it has in the past which will make ther board go into depression after being so hyped lol.

Im still not comfortable with Temple starting over Porter. He said he started him last game beecause VO plays like a pg some but Derozan doesnt so lets see who he starts his game. I truly think Wall plays better with Porter starting which is a big deal. Wall should be the best player on the floor again. They have no one to guard him. We have a chance if things go well but Witt will most likely screw it up or be too slow to adjust. I kinda think Beal will play and play welll. I think Hump will miss the game but like the JJ situation, it may be a blessing despite Hump being a good player who has beenour 2nd best player in every game vs the Raps. He gives us one less big which iis the only way that might make Witt play smaller but instead he will probably play Gooden

[Ahmedjohnson2]

No disrespect to the Raps fans on here because they are very cool but they represent a very small minority. The majority of them are the worst, cockiest fans on realgm and they despise the fact that we went to the 2nd round last year while they couldnt. Their is literally no win in the whole league right now what would satisfy me more than beating them.

I still feel we are the most talented and welll rounded team in the East but wee are held back by Witt. I truly dont fear the Raps or Hawks at all if Witt just madde some obvious lineup adjustments but he cant/wont. Alot of people talk about how we own the Bulls, the Bulls own the Raps, and the Raps own us and I may be a home but I just feel like we will own the Bulls no matter what and the Bulls will own the Raps no matter what but the Raps dont have to own us. I feel like there is nothing the Bulls or Raps can do to changes those bad matchups but we can go small and or spread the floor on the raps and then its a totally different matchup but Witt wont do it.

Again, we only have beaten them once and that was the game Witt got ejected, Newman took over, went small, and did p&r with Gortat the whole time with shooter salll around Wall. They couldnt stop us. Its almost like Witt wont do it because it will be like admitting that Newman was smarter or something.

The good thing for us is James Johnson is starting. Ive watched alot of him and the Raps this year. JJ is a beast of a player who is much better then Ross or GV. He has there board going crazy now thinking they will kill everyone after the Spurs game. They did play greeat D but I think some of it was the Spurs being crappy. The good thing for us isttht despite him being a better player then the other guys, he also plays more to our strenths. They wont be able to spread the floor on us as much as normal so I think our regular lineup could do better this game against thhem then it has in the past which will make ther board go into depression after being so hyped lol.

Im still not comfortable with Temple starting over Porter. He said he started him last game beecause VO plays like a pg some but Derozan doesnt so lets see who he starts his game. I truly think Wall plays better with Porter starting which is a big deal. Wall should be the best player on the floor again. They have no one to guard him. We have a chance if things go well but Witt will most likely screw it up or be too slow to adjust. I kinda think Beal will play and play welll. I think Hump will miss the game but like the JJ situation, it may be a blessing despite Hump being a good player who has beenour 2nd best player in every game vs the Raps. He gives us one less big which iis the only way that might make Witt play smaller but instead he will probably play Gooden

Its matchups man, thats it. Patterson and lou are the barometers

[dlts20]

No disrespect to the Raps fans on here because they are very cool but they represent a very small minority. The majority of them are the worst, cockiest fans on realgm and they despise the fact that we went to the 2nd round last year while they couldnt. Their is literally no win in the whole league right now what would satisfy me more than beating them.

I still feel we are the most talented and welll rounded team in the East but wee are held back by Witt. I truly dont fear the Raps or Hawks at all if Witt just madde some obvious lineup adjustments but he cant/wont. Alot of people talk about how we own the Bulls, the Bulls own the Raps, and the Raps own us and I may be a home but I just feel like we will own the Bulls no matter what and the Bulls will own the Raps no matter what but the Raps dont have to own us. I feel like there is nothing the Bulls or Raps can do to changes those bad matchups but we can go small and or spread the floor on the raps and then its a totally different matchup but Witt wont do it.

Again, we only have beaten them once and that was the game Witt got ejected, Newman took over, went small, and did p&r with Gortat the whole time with shooter salll around Wall. They couldnt stop us. Its almost like Witt wont do it because it will be like admitting that Newman was smarter or something.

The good thing for us is James Johnson is starting. Ive watched alot of him and the Raps this year. JJ is a beast of a player who is much better then Ross or GV. He has there board going crazy now thinking they will kill everyone after the Spurs game. They did play greeat D but I think some of it was the Spurs being crappy. The good thing for us isttht despite him being a better player then the other guys, he also plays more to our strenths. They wont be able to spread the floor on us as much as normal so I think our regular lineup could do better this game against thhem then it has in the past which will make ther board go into depression after being so hyped lol.

Im still not comfortable with Temple starting over Porter. He said he started him last game beecause VO plays like a pg some but Derozan doesnt so lets see who he starts his game. I truly think Wall plays better with Porter starting which is a big deal. Wall should be the best player on the floor again. They have no one to guard him. We have a chance if things go well but Witt will most likely screw it up or be too slow to adjust. I kinda think Beal will play and play welll. I think Hump will miss the game but like the JJ situation, it may be a blessing despite Hump being a good player who has beenour 2nd best player in every game vs the Raps. He gives us one less big which iis the only way that might make Witt play smaller but instead he will probably play Gooden

Its matchups man, thats it. Patterson and lou are the barometers

its ddefinitely matchups but Wall has looked like the best PG in the league everytime we go small but our coach never ever does it. I dont mean this in trash talk way but you lost to the Nets last year with Pierce at the 4. Small balll has stilll given you trouble this year. Hollins is use to playing big with guys like Z-Bo & Gasol but even he didnt mind going small to beat you guys with the Nets this year. Our coach wont edo it no matter how many times quick teams like you, the Hawks, and Suns kill us. I just want to see it against you guys once. Then if we lose, I will shut up but our coach wont even give me that opportunity...........lol

or if he does its because its teh 4th and you are up double figures. I just think we can do things now with Pierce at the 4. Thats why Im a guy who didnt want Ray Allen at all but now I want him more then anything because I know for a fact Witt will want to give Wall-Beal-Allen and Pierce all minutes in the playoffs so Ray is the only guy to force him to spread the floor

[Detective]

Who is that guy next to Otto Porter and how many men has he killed?

Severus Snape, and apparently he has been known to kill wizards.

[TGW]

Who is that guy next to Otto Porter and how many men has he killed?

Severus Snape, and apparently he has been known to kill wizards.

Nene would snap that woman in half. No one in that ridiculous purple jersey scares anyone.

[Asif16]

Who is that guy next to Otto Porter and how many men has he killed?

Severus Snape, and apparently he has been known to kill wizards.

Nene would snap that woman in half. No one in that ridiculous purple jersey scares anyone.

Lmao you salty AF. Every non-raptor fan has said the purple jerseys are one of the best in the league.

And please go look up James Johnson on google. If you think nene could snap a 6th degree black-belt winner in half you are tripin

PS: Why do you guys even have such a weird/old pic of James Johnson anyway LOL

[AFM]

Didn't even recognize him, got rid of the gang banger dreads and got on dat dere dreamer bulk