Surprise, surprise. The Wizards are still searching for their first road win of the season as they close out a four-game road trip in New Orleans vs. Chris Paul and the Hornets on Tuesday night. Perfect time for a raging SB Nation DC watch party at the Madhatter in Dupont Circle at 7 p.m. (You see, the drink specials should ameliorate the pain.)
Stop me if you've heard this before, but It's been a tough road trip for John Wall and Washington. They've lost in big, they've lost small, and somewhere in between. Different story, same ending. The Wizards enter Tuesday night's contest without a road win on the season -- 24 consecutive defeats.
But this trip hasn't been all bad, right? Let's try and be positive.
Mike Prada a nice read over on Bullets Forever about appreciating Yi Jianlian's improvement as a small-ball center, albeit within a small sample. Wall finally unseated Landry Fields, taking his rightful place as Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month, opposite Blake Griffin. And the Wizards played their best road game of the season against Oklahoma City, even if a) they lost and b) it's hard to remember in the flood of losses.
And even if the Wizards fans are close to forsaking their team, the Wizards haven't left their fans. Not JaVale McGee anyway, who recently solicited dunk advice from fans via Twitter.
You see, it's not all so bad. And even if the Wizards keep losing, keep in mind this: we're all witness to history. Twenty-four straight road losses to start the season in the books. Just six more to go for the all-time record.
But back to tonight's game.
The obvious matchup to watch will be Wall vs. Paul. The exciting point guards turned in similar lines in the first matchup in the first meeting between these two teams. Paul finished with 13 points, 11 assists to Wall's 12 points and 10 assists. But the Hornet guard also added seven steals and picked up the win.
This time around, the Hornets hope to get back on track following back-to-back road losses. New Orleans has not lost three games in a row since mid-December. Anybody think that ends tonight?