GT #80: ATL Hawks (60-19) @ Wizards (45-34) 6 PM (CSN/99.1 FM) [4/12/15]

[FAH1223]

YOUR Washington Bullets are 45-33! They got BLASTED in Brooklyn on Friday night and return to the Verizon Center for their last home game of the season vs. the East leading ATL Hawks who have won 60 games for the first time in franchise history.

The Wiz were coming off a 5 game win streak. But again, besides Memphis, they haven't been beating anyone of note. For my fellow fans thinking this team will go beyond Round 1, this game will give you the awakening once again of Ernie Grunfeld's failure in management.

The Wiz are 28-12 at home this season. The Hawks are 25-14 on the road.

The Wiz are 21st in offensive efficiency and 6th in defensive efficiency.

The Hawks are 6th in offensive efficiency and 5th in defensive efficiency.

Thabo Sefalosha broke his leg in an altercation with NYPD after Chris Copeland and his wife were stabbed. Pero Antic was also involved in the incident last week.

Mike Muscala, a name a lot of us on this board liked in the 2013 NBA Draft has been filling in for the injured Paul Millsap. The Hawks have been able to develop a bunch of young talent and let their veterans rest in crucial spots. I believe they will win the East with their Spurs-esque management led by Coach Budenholzer. A lot of people are not believers because they do not have a "superstar" but they play the best team ball in the East.

Also, this happened:

[tweet]https://twitter.com/JMichaelCSN/status/586722684391784448[/tweet]

Unbelievable. Grunfeld gets to use the injury excuse again when we get blasted in 5 to the Raptors or Bulls.

I believe John Wall will play since he's talked about the lack of success vs. ATL in the past this season. Nene is definitely out until the postseason it looks like.





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

Last game:
Wizards vs. NETS (L) 80-117
Hornets vs. Hawks - (W) 80-104


Lineups:











Bench:

[dlts20]

Wasup fellas, havent posted in while since Ive been going through some thing but i actually started to make a thread/post at the begining of April saying that I still think the team can make it a strong month and turn things around in spite of Wittman. There have been some good things, especially with Gooden & Porter. I think we all can agree that Gooden needs to start. The spacing problem has been long overdue. Witt showed last game that he's still not above being dimwitt. I dont wish injury on anyone, especially not one of our best but this ankle thing from Nene may be the only thing that can get Witt to start Gooden and save our season.

I disagree on alot of others about Porter. I love the kid and wouldnt have minded at all if we went with him as the starter this year but Pierce on his game has played very well this year. I dont think he needs to be benched. 1st off Otto has played great in starts but most people overlook the fact that he nearly always starts when we play the worst teams in the league. Furthermore, Pierce would also play better with a spaced big like Gooden. To me the best plan is to start Pierce but bring him out early. Bring him out with 6min left or atleast 5. That way you give Otto those 6min to play with Wall and you can bring Pierce back to anchor a 2nd unit with Nene & Hump in the frontcourt.

People hate Ernie and rightfully so but this roster still has alot of flexibility to it that Witt never taps into unless he is forced, usually by injuries. I also think this Gooden thing have made people turn on Nene some. Lets not get it twisted; we need a stretch big but that still doesnt mean that Nene isnt still one of the top players on this team. Having him on a 2nd unit in the playoffs would destroy teams. I could see him and Hump playing well together. Even if Witt doesnt bring Porter in soon, I could see him playing way better off the bench if he got to play with a top notch unselfish big like Nene. The Nene/Gooden switch changes everything to me.

I have also still been in the minority of gunning for Toronto. Give me the Raps in the 1st and Atl in the 2nd all day over Chi and then the Cavs. I dont care how much we own the Bulls, I still dont trust going up against Thibbs, Rose, Gasol, etc. I still think Tor is overrated and they own us 99% because of Witt. If we just spaced the floor then Wall would win that series by himself. He would destroy everyone if we started Gooden or played small more. Dont get it twisted, Drew still has to continue to make teams pay but if he doesnt then you go small with Porter & Pierce.

The same goes with the Hawks. I dont fear them like everyone else. We have thte talent to beat them but Witt just has to push the right buttons. He never does but he maybe forced to if Nene sits out right now and they keep winning or he may bite the bullet and play small more if we get down in a series. I have faith. Hopefully we can see a preview next game if Wall plays and hopefully Witt sticks with it

[hands11]

Wasup fellas, havent posted in while since Ive been going through some thing but i actually started to make a thread/post at the begining of April saying that I still think the team can make it a strong month and turn things around in spite of Wittman. There have been some good things, especially with Gooden & Porter. I think we all can agree that Gooden needs to start. The spacing problem has been long overdue. Witt showed last game that he's still not above being dimwitt. I dont wish injury on anyone, especially not one of our best but this ankle thing from Nene may be the only thing that can get Witt to start Gooden and save our season.

I disagree on alot of others about Porter. I love the kid and wouldnt have minded at all if we went with him as the starter this year but Pierce on his game has played very well this year. I dont think he needs to be benched. 1st off Otto has played great in starts but most people overlook the fact that he nearly always starts when we play the worst teams in the league. Furthermore, Pierce would also play better with a spaced big like Gooden. To me the best plan is to start Pierce but bring him out early. Bring him out with 6min left or atleast 5. That way you give Otto those 6min to play with Wall and you can bring Pierce back to anchor a 2nd unit with Nene & Hump in the frontcourt.

People hate Ernie and rightfully so but this roster still has alot of flexibility to it that Witt never taps into unless he is forced, usually by injuries. I also think this Gooden thing have made people turn on Nene some. Lets not get it twisted; we need a stretch big but that still doesnt mean that Nene isnt still one of the top players on this team. Having him on a 2nd unit in the playoffs would destroy teams. I could see him and Hump playing well together. Even if Witt doesnt bring Porter in soon, I could see him playing way better off the bench if he got to play with a top notch unselfish big like Nene. The Nene/Gooden switch changes everything to me.

I have also still been in the minority of gunning for Toronto. Give me the Raps in the 1st and Atl in the 2nd all day over Chi and then the Cavs. I dont care how much we own the Bulls, I still dont trust going up against Thibbs, Rose, Gasol, etc. I still think Tor is overrated and they own us 99% because of Witt. If we just spaced the floor then Wall would win that series by himself. He would destroy everyone if we started Gooden or played small more. Dont get it twisted, Drew still has to continue to make teams pay but if he doesnt then you go small with Porter & Pierce.

The same goes with the Hawks. I dont fear them like everyone else. We have thte talent to beat them but Witt just has to push the right buttons. He never does but he maybe forced to if Nene sits out right now and they keep winning or he may bite the bullet and play small more if we get down in a series. I have faith. Hopefully we can see a preview next game if Wall plays and hopefully Witt sticks with it

Nice write up and it summarized basically everything have taken a position on.

I would say you could have saved yourself some typing by saying I agree with Hands, but this is even better.

Cheers.. You nailed it.

But make not mistake.. There is very little chance Randy gets this.

[McFilthy]

With Thabo Sefolosha out, we have the Hawks right where we want them. Assist from NYPD + alcohol.

[nuposse04]

This ought to be a slaughter if Wall don't play. If he does play, probably just a convincing loss.

[hands11]

Over/Under is 196

The line is Wiz -2

Wall clearly is playing with Gooden at PF. Maybe even Otto at SF

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

I think the Wizards will bring their A game, but Horford is going to be a tough matchup.

Heck. I expect a win.

[FAH1223]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/jorgeccastillo/status/587308560230518784[/tweet]

[hands11]

For the Hawks, they're missing Paul Millsap from their starting lineup, so Mike Muscala will most likely get the start at power forward. Thabo Sefolosha is out for the remainder of the year for them due to an injury sustained in the Chris Copeland stabbing in New York. Other than that, expect to see Jeff Teague and Co. out on the floor.


Awesome. We get to see Mike Muscala starting.

[Sluggerface]

The Hawks aren't beating Cleveland in a 7 game series. Also, I think you're overreacting to how bad this team can be FAH. Realistically, this isn't any different from last season. Chicago and Toronto simply aren't good enough to take this team out in 5 games. I'd still have Chicago pulling slightly ahead if we get matched against them, but I'd put Toronto at a wash. They simply don't have the size to compete with anyone.If you neutralize Louis Williams, they become a rather unremarkable team. Derozan is still a shot chucker with abysmal range. Kyle Lowry is coming off injury and regressed hardcore after his ridiculous start to the season. Terrence Ross has been underwhelming. Every single game the Raps played against us they shot over 40% from 3. That's unsustainable. They're a high volume 3 point team but they don't play with the same efficiency as a team like Atlanta.

I'm more worried about Chicago than Toronto, because they're actually built for the playoffs, but we've always matched up well with them.

Like I said, I'm not putting any serious stock in a Washington first round victory, but the reality is either series is going to be a tough out for both teams.

[Kanyewest]

The Hawks aren't beating Cleveland in a 7 game series.

It could happen if Cleveland's offense plays too much isolation ball and if Cleveland's defense regresses. Plus at the end of games Cleveland does usually put Kevin Love on the bench.

Of course, Atlanta has an uphill battle and officiating could go against them. But I wouldn't completely count off a 60 win team- who has only been playing worse because they have hadn't had anything to play for in the past couple of weeks.

[nuposse04]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/jorgeccastillo/status/587352916324909056[/tweet]

Absolutely no reason to play Wall, nene or Pierce in this one. I understand it is the last home game, but the Hawks are clearly not giving two **** so we ought to rest where possible.

Of course we'll probably play our starters and probably lose.

[hands11]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/jorgeccastillo/status/587352916324909056[/tweet]

Absolutely no reason to play Wall, nene or Pierce in this one. I understand it is the last home game, but the Hawks are clearly not giving two **** so we ought to rest where possible.

Of course we'll probably play our starters and probably lose.

Wall has been out for a week already. You don't want him getting out of his grove sitting to long.

He rested long enough. He should start.. Get a big lead then rest him.

We still haven't hit our stride sadly thanks to Randy's cluelessness.

Better for this team to get into the playoffs in sync and warmed up.

They can rest the last game if needed.

[Illmatic12]

I agree there is a bit of overreaction lately.

Yes Washington didn't play up to their potential in the regular season, yes the team needs to upgrade on Wittman, yes Grunfeld is a bad GM, etc etc.. none of that changes the fact that there are good players on the Wizards team who match up well with their counterparts on other mid-tier East teams.

Chicago's players don't have a physical or mental edge on Washington's players. The media has a certain perception of Thibodeau and the Bulls, but when they roll the ball out there on the court it's obvious that our players don't care about any of that. Wall, Beal, Nene, Pierce, Gortat is a good cast of personalities to have going into a postseason series vs a team like Chicago. These are tough, high IQ, two way players who have already sent a message to the Bulls (in their own house even) multiple times.

I'll say this, if the matchup indeed ends up #4 Chicago vs #5 Washington, you can be sure ESPN won't do this again:

[tweet]https://twitter.com/WashWizards/status/461336007376642049[/tweet]

[FAH1223]

lol, we're going to lose to the Hawks 2nd and 3rd unit players tonight

coaching matters folks

[dlts20]

JLC said everyone is a go tonight except Temple. He said that includes Wall but my question is does it include Nene? They said he was out for the regular season but has that changed or not?

[nuposse04]

Nene is apparently starting, along with Pierce. Makes no sense. Nene should be the first big off the bench.

[hands11]

What... Nene is playing ?

[hands11]

Nene is apparently starting, along with Pierce. Makes no sense. Nene should be the first big off the bench.

Nene starting ?

Randy is beyond clueless.

[dlts20]

Nene is apparently starting, along with Pierce. Makes no sense. Nene should be the first big off the bench.

I just bet a lot of money on this game while the line was still decent because I thought Nene was out. Hope it doesn't backfire on me. On the flip side, Nene should own his matchup. Just have to hope for the best since dimwitt never learns. Might as well hope for the Bulls matchup too since Nene is starting. Just sick of an undercover superstar talent like Wall being held back by Witts system and lineups