SB Nation DC - Cavaliers Vs. Wizards: Washington Comes Up Short Down The Stretch In 107-102 Losshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48897/dc-fave.png2010-11-06T21:28:55-04:00http://dc.sbnation.com/rss/stream/15621682010-11-06T21:28:55-04:002010-11-06T21:28:55-04:00Cavaliers Vs. Wizards: Washington Comes Up Short Down The Stretch, Loses 107-102
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<p>Once again, the Washington Wizards went down to the wire against a mediocre team. After rallying to beat the Philadelphia 76ers in their home opener on Tuesday night, the Wizards played the Cleveland Cavaliers tight tonight. In the end, they came up short down the stretch and lost 107-102.</p>
<p>The game was tied at 95 with two minutes to go before the Cavaliers took a five-point lead in less than 30 seconds. After two Mo Williams free throws, Gilbert Arenas forced a shot with two defenders guarding him. On the ensuing Cleveland possession, Daniel Gibson got John Wall to bite on a pump fake and knocked down a three-pointer to put Cleveland up 100-95. After a timeout, the Wizards couldn't even draw iron on their shot attempt and drew a 24-second shot clock violation. On the ensuing possession, Williams nailed a three-pointer in the right corner for the icing on the cake.</p>
<p>The Wizards took control in the fourth quarter by using a three-guard lineup of John Wall, Gilbert Arenas and Kirk Hinrich. However, the Cavaliers rallied thanks to one key sequence. After J.J. Hickson was fouled and made his first free throw, Anderson Varejao rebounded the second free throw miss and found Anthony Parker for a three-pointer. The four-point sequence brought the Cavaliers to within one, and a Varejao layup gave the Cavaliers the lead on the next possession. </p>
<p>Al Thornton led the way with 23 points for the Wizards, but barely saw the court in the fourth quarter. </p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/washington-wizards/2010/11/6/1798468/cavaliers-vs-wizards-score-recap-fourth-quarter-lossMike Prada2010-11-06T20:11:58-04:002010-11-06T20:11:58-04:00Cavaliers Vs. Wizards: Poor Defense Leads To 59-51 Cleveland Lead At Halftime
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<p>With a frontcourt as young and as skinny as the Washington Wizards', there will be games where they are just dominated inside. Tonight is one of those games. The Cavaliers are shooting nearly 56 percent from the field and have a 59-51 lead at halftime.</p>
<p>Cleveland has gotten a balanced effort thus far. Mo Williams leads the Cavaliers with 12 points on 6-9 shooting, while Daniel Gibson has 10 points on 4-5 shooting off the bench. However, it was the play of Ryan Hollins and J.J. Hickson that pushed Cleveland's lead to double digits at one point in the second quarter. Hollins was 3-3 from the field for seven points, and Hickson outplayed JaVale McGee, Andray Blatche and Yi Jianlian during the quarter.</p>
<p>The Wizards rallied a bit late in the quarter thanks to hot shooting from Kirk Hinrich. After struggling mightily against the Knicks, Hinrich is leading the way for the Wizards with 17 points on 6-8 shooting. However, Gilbert Arenas is struggling, with just three points on 1-5 shooting. John Wall has six points and six assists on 3-5 shooting. </p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/washington-wizards/2010/11/6/1798375/cavaliers-vs-wizards-halftime-score-59-51-defenseMike Prada2010-11-06T19:39:09-04:002010-11-06T19:39:09-04:00Cavaliers Vs. Wizards: Washington Leads 28-27 After One Quarter
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<p>We're through with one quarter here at the Verizon Center, and the Washington Wizards lead the Cleveland Cavaliers 28-27. The Cavaliers had an early lead, but the Wizards rallied midway through the quarter.</p>
<p>Gilbert Arenas checked in after a timeout, getting a loud standing ovation from the Verizon Center crowd. He also hit his first shot - a three-pointer - though he did surrender an easy layup to Ramon Sessions on his first defensive possession. It appears that he will be greeted warmly by Wizards fans at home all season, despite the past. </p>
<p>Al Thornton leads the way for the Wizards with 11 points, including a coast-to-coast layup to close the quarter. Kirk Hinrich added nine points, looking much better than he did the other night in New York. Jamario Moon and Daniel Gibson lead Cleveland with five points.</p>
<p>John Wall has no points, but does have four assists to just one turnover. Mo Williams has been attacking him all night on the defensive end, with mixed results.</p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/washington-wizards/2010/11/6/1798340/cavaliers-vs-wizards-score-first-quarter-gilbert-arenasMike Prada2010-11-06T18:49:32-04:002010-11-06T18:49:32-04:00Cavaliers Vs. Wizards: Antawn Jamison To Sit Out With Knee Injury
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<p>WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Antawn Jamison's return to the Verizon Center won't really happen tonight. Prior to the game, Cavaliers coach Byron Scott told reporters that Jamison will indeed miss his third straight game with an injury on his left knee injury.</p>
<p>"It's getting better," Scott said. "It's just a real slow process. Unfortunately, we thought it would be quicker when it happened, but that's just how it is."</p>
<p>Jamison was shooting around a bit during warmups, though he seemed to be moving gingerly on the knee. He wasn't slated to start anyway, as the Cavaliers have decided to start J.J. Hickson at power forward. Jamison is being professional about that decision, but Scott admitted that it hasn't been an easy thing for him to take.</p>
<p>"I think he's dealing with it," Scott said. "Obviously, he's probably not thrilled to be benched, but the guy is a true professional, and has been since he's been in the league, and he's a team player."</p>
<p>Also, Gilbert Arenas once again will not start for the Wizards. Washington will go with John Wall, Kirk Hinrich, Al Thornton, Andray Blatche and JaVale McGee, while Cleveland will counter with Mo Williams, Anthony Parker, Jamario Moon, Hickson and Anderson Varejao.</p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/washington-wizards/2010/11/6/1798262/cavaliers-vs-wizards-antawn-jamison-knee-injury-outMike Prada2010-11-06T17:16:16-04:002010-11-06T17:16:16-04:00Cavaliers Vs. Wizards: Antawn Jamison Returns As Washington Takes On Cleveland In Gilbert Arenas' Home Debut
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<p>There's a lot happening in tonight's <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/">Wizards</a> home game against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fearthesword.com/">Cleveland Cavaliers</a>. Well, potentially. We know that <span>Gilbert Arenas</span> will make his first regular-season appearance in front of his home fans this season. What is less clear is whether former Wizard <span>Antawn Jamison</span> will do the same.</p>
<p>Jamison is making his return to the Verizon Center for the first time since he was traded to the Cavaliers last February. It will likely be an emotional game for him. But as of right now, it's not clear whether Jamison will take the court. He sat out his second straight game last night against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.libertyballers.com/">76ers</a> with a knee injury, and his status for tonight is unclear. Even if he does play, he will come off the bench, as coach <span>Byron Scott</span> has decided that <span>J.J. Hickson</span> should be the starter at power forward instead. It'll be interesting to see the kind of reception Jamison receives.</p>
<p>The game will start at 7 p.m. The Wizards will likely bring Arenas off the bench again, meaning the two cornerstones of the previous era of the Wizards will both be bench players in this game if they play. I bet nobody saw that one coming.</p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/2010/11/6/2323837/cavaliers-vs-wizards-antawn-jamison-returns-as-washington-takes-onMike Prada