The Washington Wizards will open up their 2011-12 NBA season on Monday night when they host Deron Williams and the New Jersey Nets at the Verizon Center. The game will begin at 7 p.m. and be broadcasted on Comcast SportsNet.
Washington is coming off two preseason losses to the Philadelphia 76ers. The first was in blowout fashion in D.C., while the second was a much closer defeat in Philadelphia. Led by John Wall, the young Wizards are hoping to show some improvement this year. They did not make any major free-agent moves, but are hoping a year of internal development will allow them to improve on their 23-59 record from last season.
The Nets, meanwhile, enter an interesting year for themselves. Star guard Deron Williams is a free agent next summer, and he's indicated he will stay if the team surrounds him with winning pieces. That's why the Nets are prominently in the Dwight Howard sweepstakes. However, Brook Lopez, a key on-court and trade asset, is sidelined due to injury.
For more on the Wizards, visit Bullets Forever. For more on the Nets, visit Nets Daily and SB Nation New York.