Feb 29, 2012; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) brings the ball up court against the Orlando Magic during the first half at the Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-US PRESSWIRE
2 Total Updates since March 3, 2012
about 1 year ago Update 0 comments
John Wall and Kyrie Irving played against each other for the first time ever, but it was Antawn Jamison who lit up the Wizards and Washington who had the last laugh.
Here's the Magic vs. Wizards quick-hit recap. Take 100 seconds to catch up on the news, notes and must-see from last night's Wizards action -- good and bad -- with 'Postive Pixels, Wicked Pixels.' It's your morning-after Wizards hangover cure.
Positive Pixels
• Jordan Crawford is doing just fine as a starter, thanks. While Nick Young sat out with the lingering effects of a bruised right knee he suffered in the fourth quarter Wednesday against Orlando, Crawford went off in his second straight start. On Wednesday he faded in the fourth (failing to score a point), but Saturday Crawford kept cooking late, scoring 12 in the final frame. Can Randy Wittman justify returning him to the bench when Young comes back?
• John Wall came out aggressive and finished with 24 points (8-of-17 shooting) -- none more impressive than when he showed off his "track speed" at the end of the third quarter, taking an inbounds pass with 3.9 seconds left and knifing to the cup to tie the game at 78-78. He also had a big block late on Irving that prevented a possible game-tying and-one.
• Andray Blatche's oddly helpful return saw the forward collect nine rebounds and dish out five (!!!) assists. Dray only took three shots (missing them all, air-balling one) but that's not too bad for his first game in six months. In the locker room, Wall gave Blatche a hard time about all the jewelry he had on. 'Dray replied: "I got to shine some way some how." Too funny.
Wicked Pixels
• Bad habits are hard to kick. JaVale McGee even brought back The JaVale McGee Fast Break Experience™, though in fairness to him he pulled back on his second break, drew the defender and dished to Jordan Crawford for an open dunk. Still, Wittman was forced to bring back his favorite metaphor: "Cigarette smoking is a tough habit to beat."
• For three quarter, the Wizards could not defend Antawn Jamison (29 points, nine rebounds). Jamison scooped, jerked and pick-your-wily-veteran-cliche'd his way to get the best of his former team. The Wizards checked him with Trevor Booker and Jan Vesely, who took a while to get used to his awkward style. A positive: Washington clamped down on Jamison, who didn't score in the fourth quarter.
• Streamers. The Wizards sent streamers flying out of the basket at the end of the game like it was the Super Bowl. It was weird.
You know it's been a long time since the #wizards won. Streamers fell after 101-98 victory over CLE. Who needs Game 7 when you have win 8?
— Michael Lee (@MrMichaelLee) March 4, 2012
For more on this game and all things Wizards basketball, please check out Bullets Forever. For a view from the other bench, please check out SB Nation's Cleveland Cavaliers blog Fear The Sword. And for more on this and every NBA game, please check out the SB Nation NBA hub page.
about 1 year ago Update 0 comments
In a close game that went right down to the wire, the Washington Wizards were able to outlast the Cleveland Cavaliers and win by a score of 100-97 on Saturday night. With the victory, the Wizards ended their six game losing streak and were finally able to send the home fans at the Verizon Center away happy.
The Wizards received a much needed lift from their starting back-court, as Jordan Crawford and John Wall each came through with big performances. Crawford led all scorers in this game with 31 points on 13-22 shooting from the field. Wall had a solid line of 24 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists, and made one of two free throws to give the Wizards a lead with 5 seconds to play. Anthony Parkers last second 24 foot three-point attempt missed for the Cavs, who have now lost their first 4 games following the All-Star break.
It was a welcome sight for Cavs fans to have rookie point guard Kyrie Irving back in the lineup. Irving, Cleveland's leading scorer who missed last night's game with the flu, returned and scored 20 points to go along with his 6 assists. It was a turn back the clock type of performance from Antawn Jamison, who led the Cavs with 29 points.
The Wizards (8-28) will look to keep the momentum from this win going when they host the Golden State Warriors Monday evening at the Verizon Center.
For more on this game and all things Wizards basketball, please check out Bullets Forever. For a view from the other bench, please check out SB Nation's Cleveland Cavaliers blog Fear The Sword. And for more on this and every NBA game, please check out the SB Nation NBA hub page.
about 1 year ago Article 0 comments
The Washington Wizards (7-28) welcome the Cleveland Cavaliers (13-21) to the Verizon Center on Saturday night, hoping to snap a six game losing streak.