Washington at Detroit

[Bugs']

Washington (30-19) at Detroit (29-19)

Game Info: 7:30 pm EST Sat Feb 12, 2005
TV: CSNB, WDIV

The Washington Wizards have made a lot of progress during their breakout season. Beating the defending NBA champion Detroit Pistons would greatly enhance their growing reputation.
The surprising Wizards will try to end an eight-game skid against Detroit when they visit the Palace of Auburn Hills.

Washington, which has reached 30 wins prior to the All-Star break for just the sixth time in franchise history, has not beaten Detroit since an 88-83 victory on Dec. 4, 2002. The Wizards have already lost two matchups with the Pistons this season.

All-Star guard Gilbert Arenas made sure the Wizards went into Detroit on a high note, scoring 14 of his 35 points in the fourth quarter Friday as Washington edged the Los Angeles Clippers 94-91. The Wizards have reached the playoffs in each of the previous five seasons they have won at least 30 games before the break.

Arenas has scored at least 30 points nine times in the last 14 games.

``Gilbert is growing as a point guard and as our quarterback,'' Wizards coach Eddie Jordan said. ``His maturity has contributed to our success.''

After winning just 17 home games a season ago, the Wizards are 20-7 at the MCI Center. They will be trying to improve on a 10-12 road mark.

``To think of the young kids they've accumulated. ... They've really built the team the right way,'' said Detroit coach Larry Brown of the Wizards.

Detroit is coming off a 103-81 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday as Rasheed Wallace had 23 points and a season-high 15 rebounds to lift the Pistons in a rematch of last season's NBA Finals.

Detroit point guard Chauncey Billups had 15 points and a season-high 11 assists for the Pistons. Billups, averaging 19.2 points and 8.2 assists over his last five games, has scored a combined 60 in the first two meetings with the Wizards this season.

[unsonny]

Bullets?

when did they change thier names to the Wizards

[NotInOurHouse]

I like that quote that Larry Brown gave...its good to get some respect from a respectable coach like him

[fwo40]

As a Detroit fan I have to say that only two teams worry me in the East you guys (when you're on) and the Heat.

I wish we could get our intensity back to a consistent basis....hopefully we will tonight.

Should be a good one.

[Bugs']

Originally posted by fwo40
As a Detroit fan I have to say that only two teams worry me in the East you guys (when you're on) and the Heat.

I wish we could get our intensity back to a consistent basis....hopefully we will tonight.

Should be a good one.

Well, you guys have had our number for awhile now, but hopefully that will start changing soon....like tonight ;)

[NotInOurHouse]

We owe det. from that last game...that one still stings

[Gamebreaker]

We have to beat the Pistons tonight. If not, I have to seriously wonder if it's a mental thing when it comes to them and Miami.

[Bugs']

Originally posted by Gamebreaker
We have to beat the Pistons tonight. If not, I have to seriously wonder if it's a mental thing when it comes to them and Miami.

Well Detroit and Miami are good teams...let's remember that.;)

[Boy2Der]

I wish we had hughes because it is hard to see how we match up against the best without him. The only good thing is that since his injury other players have gotten a chance to step up and grow and become better and we have been able to find away to win.

[mad4comp]

I swear there were about 3-4 fouls on Detriot so far, and none get called, yet we cant even get a block, because its a foul everytime..... :/

[mad4comp]

That shot they blocked on Jamison...FOUL..not called.. gg refs.

[BayouBrave86]

I don't know if we can beat this team without Hughes. I sure hope so, but we're also coming off a game last night, hopefully they'll pull it out, but the Pistons get so much bs to go their way.

[REDALERT]

21-16 Detroit. Let's hope the Wiz don't fall behind too early. Because teams like detroit Miami and a few others like maybe dallas. The Wiz seems to loose all confidence or something once they're far behind against teams I just mentiouned aboved.

Regardless of the score and how early it may be. The Wiz are gonna have to fight teams like these if they plan to do anything if and when they make the playoffs.

[mad4comp]

Originally posted by BayouBrave86
I don't know if we can beat this team without Hughes. I sure hope so, but we're also coming off a game last night, hopefully they'll pull it out, but the Pistons get so much bs to go their way.

Hughes or no Hughes, refs seem to want to give these games away.... ROFL..and another Offensive foul.

I counted 6 fouls not called on Detriot......gj REFS.

[REDALERT]

Oh Boy, here we go......25-18 Detroit...

[REDALERT]

Um Yea:mad: like I said. It's getting brutal early and if the Wiz don't loose focus or confidence early. We should atleast stay close. If not, forget about it......The Wiz just can't seem to hang with these guys or bring trhe same kind of intensity.



Plus, they're PF/C are more, well a helluva lot more tenacious than what the Wiz have.

[BayouBrave86]

Haha everytime I see Richard Hamilton's face on this ESPN update, I think of when he came behind Jordan and pumped his fist in the air after Jordan hit that game winner against Cleveland a couple years ago. Too funny.

[BayouBrave86]

Gilbert Arenas is just simply phenomenal, already had 16 in the first half.

[Gamebreaker]

Just turned the game on and we're losing by 5. I really hope we win this one.

[BayouBrave86]

Ok Billups, wtf ...he is killing us.

[mad4comp]

If we Doublteam again i swear to god EJ has to be the dumbest coach in the world. How many times are you going to get burned on the same type of play ? Is he like retarded or something, or blind ? Cuz unfortunately he cannot see that everytime he has his team doubleteam someone in the paint, they kick it out and shoot a WIDE OPEN THREE.....Sorry, but seeing that same play over and over and over is pissin me off. Its like when Gruden ran that TE rollout over and over on Edward's Defense and got like 8 TD's.

[mad4comp]

Alright, EJ and this goddamn Zone d is not working, please play Man for a change.... Looks like we loose this one.

[Gamebreaker]

This isn't looking good. 50-39 with 2 minutes left before halftime. Hamilton just threw an oop to Big Ben. The Pistons are on a 15-5 run. We need to show some signs of life before halftime.

[BayouBrave86]

Put Dixon in, we need a spark!

[mad4comp]

Please put Juan in there...why is AP getting time over Juan...

[mad4comp]

-Playing AP over wrong...gg EJ
-Playing Zone D...gg EJ
-Doubleteamming...gg EJ
-No Man D whatsoever...gg EJ

What is going on with EJ..is he watching the same game we are ?

[Bugs']

Not looking good after one half....I agree, let's see what Juan can do and throw in Blake as well....hell, anyone! The people playing with the most intensity tonight is Ruffin and Arenas....:mad:

[garg8050]

I don't think playing Peeler over Dixon is a bad move. Juan is too small and the Pistons' guards are too physical for Dixon on the defensive end. Peeler is a much better defender than Dixon.

Granted, at this point, being down 17, they may have to try Dixon. I do agree that doubling the low post and leaving Billups wide open is stupid.

No shame in losing to Detroit on the road. Just makes that 1st loss at home feel a little worse.

[mad4comp]

Originally posted by garg8050
I don't think playing Peeler over Dixon is a bad move. Juan is too small and the Pistons' guards are too physical for Dixon on the defensive end. Peeler is a much better defender than Dixon.

Granted, at this point, being down 17, they may have to try Dixon. I do agree that doubling the low post and leaving Billups wide open is stupid.

No shame in losing to Detroit on the road. Just makes that 1st loss at home feel a little worse.

with AP its either hes hot or hes not..or he just wont shoot the J. Its time to play Dixon, we need points badly.

[garg8050]

Originally posted by mad4comp


with AP its either hes hot or hes not..or he just wont shoot the J. Its time to play Dixon, we need points badly.

Well, the problem is that both our offense and defense are lacking tonight. The Pistons, who usually struggle to score 90, are shooting 52%, while we're shooting 36%. Again, Dixon may help, especially if he can get some steals and transition baskets but I don't hold out much hope for this one. We may get it to 8-10, but I don't see this being a close game in the final 5 minutes. I sure hope I'm wrong.

[LA56Dawg]

plz put Dixon & Blake in.... take out JJ... lets run the floor man........

[mad4comp]

Watch the Detriot Big men when Rip gets a pick, they hold onto Jarvis...im suprised the refs didnt catch it yet..oopps maybe not seeing that they have their heads way up detriots butt.

[mad4comp]

STOP GODDAMN DOUBLETEAMMING..EJ has to be retarded if he doesnt see it.

[mad4comp]

Good game fellas im out, Between the refs and EJ not putting in Dixon and having the team Doubleteam almost every possession, this is getting depressing. Im out.

[REDALERT]

It seems EJ is trying to limit some of their scoring options by double teaming. But as I stated, the Pistons PF/C are to tenacious for us to be double teaming and if we do guys like chauncy Billups will light you up from outside. Not only Chauncy, but Rip and prince if prince gets hot.


It's not looking good for us folks. And frankly, it's no way in hell we win this game. Sorry for the negative karma on this one. But you have to call it as you see it. The Pistons are another team we just can't match up with. Well, maybe we can. But the Pistons are more experienced and have better inside outside play than the wiz do. And until guys like Hay/Kwame/Haywood bring it every time we play teams like Detroit. The wiz will all ways end up on the short end of the stick. Regardless what some players bring, every player must bring it when we play teams like Miami and detroit.

[garg8050]

It's officially GARBAGE TIME!

[BayouBrave86]

Whadda ya know? Dixon hits a 3.

[LA56Dawg]

memo to EJ.... TAKE YOUR HEAD OUT YOUR *****

[NotInOurHouse]

i think we should play profit more..he is the closest thing to hughes with what we have...he can have same drving ability

[PCRoughrider]

The Wizards were in the second half of back to back, on the road against the home team that didn't play the night before.

Winning in this situation is, at best, an uphill battle. Though, you dont want to get blown out...

[hands11]

Originally posted by Gamebreaker
We have to beat the Pistons tonight. If not, I have to seriously wonder if it's a mental thing when it comes to them and Miami.

its not mental. its physical

[hands11]

Originally posted by mad4comp
Please put Juan in there...why is AP getting time over Juan...

Because EJ has learned that Dixon doesnt play well against team with Guard like Detriot has. They just smother him, so he is putting in the bigger stronger AP.

AP is off tonight, so he should go to Profit, which he eventually did with 6 minutes left.

I believe this is what he is seeing, and I actually agree with him, but he is still to slow to make the next move when something isnt working. Profit should have come in much earlier.

[LA56Dawg]

^ agree w/ this..... sure you would like to win as many games as you can, but games like this you can try out different players to find the best combination... so that when we see these guys in the Playoffs, then we know who to give more mins. to

[Chachie]

Originally posted by hands11


its not mental. its physical

No doubt. Detroit is tough as nails right down to the PG. Deep, too. McDyess coming off the bench is crushing. To have a guy like that fresh in the 4th qtr is quite an advantage. We need a real enforcer at the PF or C spot if we want to compete in the playoffs.

At this pint, I don't miss Rip as much as I used to, but every time I look at Ben Wallace I let out a regretful sigh. The guys' just a monster.