Washington at New Orleans

[Bugs']

Washington (30-20) at New Orleans (10-41)

Game Info: 8:00 pm EST Mon Feb 14, 2005

TV: CSNB, COX

The league-worst New Orleans Hornets look to build on their recent play at home when they open a four-game homestand against the Washington Wizards. Since posting just two wins during the first two months, New Orleans has won eight of its last 20 games. The Hornets have especially picked up their play at home, where they have won six of their last nine games and are averaging 103.5 points on 47 percent shooting in those victories.

New Orleans, which plays nine of its next 10 games at New Orleans Arena, looks to bounce back from a 97-94 defeat at the Orlando Magic on Sunday that snapped a two-game winning streak.

Dan Dickau continued his solid play by scoring a career-high 28 points, including 17 in the second half to keep the Hornets close.

``It was just normal flow-of-the-game shots I was making,'' said Dickau, who shot 10-of-16 and hit seven three-pointers. ``We've had so many close games that we lost. We could easily have 20, 22 wins right now, and that's the frustrating thing.''

The 6-foot point guard, starting in place of the injured Baron Davis (Achilles'), entered Sunday averaging 18.4 points on 46 percent shooting, and 6.3 assists in his last 14 games.

''(Dan) is being his consistent self,'' said P.J. Brown, who did not play the second half after spraining his left ankle in the second quarter. ``He is showing everybody he belongs in this league and he is an NBA point guard.''

Forward Lee Nailon missed his sixth straight game with a sore left groin for the short-handed Hornets, who are also without starters Jamal Mashburn (knee) and Jamaal Magloire (finger).

R.J. Smith scored 20 points Sunday for New Orleans, which has won seven games in a row over the Wizards at home since a 97-85 defeat on Nov. 11, 2000.

Washington, which has won eight of its last 13 games, had a four-game winning streak snapped with a 107-86 defeat at the defending champion Detroit Pistons.

All-Star guard Gilbert Arenas led the Wizards with 24 points and is averaging 31.4 points, 6.6 assists and nearly 48 percent shooting over his last five games.

Antawn Jamison, another All-Star, added 14 points for the Wizards, who have lost three in a row on the road and continue a three-game road trip.

The Hornets lead the all-time series 37-25, including a 22-8 mark at home.

[PCRoughrider]

I can tell you immediately after the end of this game what the chances for the Wizards tomorrow against Houston.

Going into Houston, has the opportunity to be bad as going into Detroit. We are again playing back to back games where the second half opponent, Houston, will not have played the previous day. This might even be worse because this game is on the road. The game before the Pistons was a home game.

We need to beat the Hornets soundly and get the starters out of the game by the middle of the 3rd quarter because at 10:00 tonight, we'll be still be playing a game, with a 300 mile trip waiting for us at the conclusion. At the same time, the Rockets will be, at home, watching our game from their living rooms.

[RedskinsNation]

I like our chances tonight...tomorrow is going to be a tough game...i think we might pack it in tomorrow since its our last game before a week off (allstar break).

I will take a win tonight and a loss tomorrow and have a smile and feel good about the first half of the year (actually 52 games instead of 41).

[DUSTINMFOX]

I don't think the Wizards will pack it in tomorrow...

Not with guys like Arenas on the squad...but, they could "look past" the game; being excited about their first all-star and all.

Hopefully we'll see a more consistent Jamison the next few days.

[bofluid]

PJ Brown, Baron Davis and Lee Nailon are all questionable. If those guys don't play the Wiz will blow this one open and be able to rest their starters.

As far as packing it in tomorrow night, I don't think Gil and Antawn even know how to do that.

[RedskinsNation]

Originally posted by bofluid
PJ Brown, Baron Davis and Lee Nailon are all questionable. If those guys don't play the Wiz will blow this one open and be able to rest their starters.

As far as packing it in tomorrow night, I don't think Gil and Antawn even know how to do that.

I hope not...but when we play backtoback games and the 2nd game being a road game we have struggled thats all.

I think when we get LH back this team is gonna really get going...the energy he will bring is gonna raise the bar for everyone...I think Arenas will play even better.

[TheEvilGeniuz]

i agree , we got this one. even tho we can beat the rockets, its going to be a hard one. GO WIZ !!

[SkinsChick36]

Don't know about anyone else but in my book 8 out of the last 20 games is not great...AT ALL. and any team who won only 2 games in two months of the season has no chance in hell to bounce back!

[Leonard Washington]

dickau is dangerous. i like his game.

[bofluid]

Gil is questionable for tonights game. He must have banged his elbow pretty good Saturday night. Baron Davis is definitely out. I thnk the Wiz hold Gil out tonight, but you never know with him. He might demand to play.

[Bugs']

Well, we have Ramos in the middle now :D Hopefully, he will get some minutes and we can see what kind of game he has been developing in practice...

I think it is only natural for teams to struggle in back to back games with the last one being on the road....that has to be hard on anyone, no matter what team it is...I don't want to even think about tomorrow night's game until we finish tonights. NO has been playing good ball of late, especially at home, scoring a lot of points....I guess it really doesn't matter if we look ahead as long as the Wiz' aren't....:2cents:

[Chachie]

Just about 8pm. We should find out from Steve and Phil about Gilbert.


(edit)- looks like he's in. :)

[hands11]

Originally posted by DUSTINMFOX
I don't think the Wizards will pack it in tomorrow...

Not with guys like Arenas on the squad...but, they could "look past" the game; being excited about their first all-star and all.

Hopefully we'll see a more consistent Jamison the next few days.

Ramos against Yao.

:notworthy

[hands11]

Originally posted by bofluid
Gil is questionable for tonights game. He must have banged his elbow pretty good Saturday night. Baron Davis is definitely out. I thnk the Wiz hold Gil out tonight, but you never know with him. He might demand to play.

I saw the reply. He actually hyper extended it backward smacking it against Etan as he came across the lane.

[Warhead36]

Etan injuring another teammate of his. :doh:

[hands11]

Originally posted by Warhead36
Etan injuring another teammate of his. :doh:

Well Etan didnt really do it.

He was just running down the lane to get a reboud.

Gil was coming left to right across the lane.
He was slashing and a little out of control. He kind of got bumped by the D and by the time he got back the defender, Etan was on the other side coming forward. Gils arm was extended and it kind of hit Etans mid section and extended backward for a second. Hyper extension.

[hands11]

PROFFFFIT


Thats my boy.

[hands11]

Haywood never wins the opening tap.

[hands11]

Man Jamison is bad on defense. That white dude just alley op dunked on him.

Then he come back with the weak shot. Why cant he ever do a power move ?

And that was a tough foul on Haywood. That looked like all ball.

[hands11]

Now that was a sweet play with Jefferies and Gil.

Gil give him the over the head no look.


That was sick.

Here we come.

Someone need to box out the big white dude. We are making him look like an all star.

[hands11]

And there we go. Sweet come back.

They have thier head back in the game. Only down by 3 at the half. Gils last shot was amazing. Behind the back. Mishandles the ball. Drop it. Pick it up, Buzzer beater...

[mad4comp]

How come there are no Loose ball fouls called on that big white guy ?? I can think of twice on which it should have been called, but did not.

But whatever..we just need someone to come in and score a couple more points.

[garg8050]

Lethargic start, better finish to the first half. This is clearly a TRAP game. Crappy team on the road, All-Star break looming. The team will really need to focus to pull this one out in the second half. I hope Jordan gave them a good ol' fashion tongue lashing at halftime.

[bofluid]

Prediction: Chris Andersen doesn't look like an All NBA first teamer in the second half.

[hands11]

My man Profit got mugged. Tough break for the kid.

Would have been nice if he would have gotten to the line.

He is great FT shooter.

He need to have good things happen while he is on the court.

Im really pulling for him.

[mad4comp]

EJ and his retarded double-team D needs to go...i mean how many FUC*ING times does a team need to drain a three because a guy is wide open for EJ to realize he cant do that every D@MN time....geez this is pissing me off. I hope someone comes in to teach this team how to play Man defense, because unfortunately EJ lacks the Mental Capacity to do so.

[hands11]

well, I wish we were winning heading into the 4th, but its a good tough game.

Ruffin gets so screwed every game. He jump straight up and get a foul called on him. At least he finally opened his mouth.

He going to have to learn that opening you mouth isnt a bad thing. He doesnt have to be a whinner, just open you mouth and asking them to explain.

I think he is learning.

[bofluid]

Man. How about that girl they were zooming in on for a good minute before the start of the 4th quarter? Wow.

[mad4comp]

Originally posted by bofluid
Man. How about that girl they were zooming in on for a good minute before the start of the 4th quarter? Wow.

yea i know..i wish i started recording..D@mn i cant go back :(

What a hottie. :respect:

[mad4comp]

Looks like the refs are New Orleans fans.

[mad4comp]

Double-team and a Three. Gee i wonder how many times they did that :/

[bofluid]

PJ Brown dragged his pivot foot before he ever got that timeout. I'm surprised Buck wasn't on top of that.

[Skins11]

God damnit Brendan Haywood. Why foul him there??

[mad4comp]

Well thanks to EJ and his retarded Double-teamming D, we gave up like 900 3 pointers. I dont understand why he doesnt realize he cant do that every d@mn time. This is really depressing, losing to a scrub New Orleans squad ?? this is the second game EJ has blown..

[Diablo23]

Well thats what we get for not having practice a day before the game.

:puke:

[bofluid]

Worst loss of the season. I'm pretty disgusted. Hopefully we bounce back tomorrow.

[hands11]

Wow, that was a tough one.

That was a tick tack foul on Haywood.

I know this isnt traditional logic, but this is what I was thinking.

They got that lucky rebound in the corner and could run out the clock. We arent know for our defense like we are know for you offense.

I was thinking, I would rather foul the guy I want to foul if I can, or at least foul anyone early. This way, most they can do is go up by 2, but you have a chance they miss a FT. Then we get the ball back with 17-20 seconds on the clock and have plenty of time to set up your offense.

You have Gil, Jamison, and Dixon. Any one of which can hit a clutch shot. If its going to go into over time with me having last posession, Id rather have 17 second on the clock then 4.

I know you never want to hand over the lead, but it just felt like this was the right thing to do.

Foul them early, take my chances with them on the line, then give my offense the ball for the tie or win with 17 sec to go. They arent going to foul us to tie the game so we at least get a shot at a 3 to win. And that a 3 would be in the hands of Dixon, Jamison or Gils.

Id take those odds over what we did anyday.

[hands11]

Originally posted by Skins11
God damnit Brendan Haywood. Why foul him there??

Thats a tough one to be made at Haywood for. He hardly touched the guy. You dont make that call that late in the game when its that close. Phil made a comment when we got the ball back that the refs woundnt give us that kind of call. I just started talking to myself, then why did they give them that kind of call.

[hands11]

Originally posted by mad4comp
Well thanks to EJ and his retarded Double-teamming D, we gave up like 900 3 pointers. I dont understand why he doesnt realize he cant do that every d@mn time. This is really depressing, losing to a scrub New Orleans squad ?? this is the second game EJ has blown..

Im telling you. Its because Haywood and Jamison arent fast enough to switch and Gil isnt the best pressing defensive player.

I actually really liked our trap defense. That looked great, but your right. Thats not a good defense for the talent we have on the court. Maybe it will work better when Kwame get back in there. Ruffin plays it well, but he gets called for everything.

[garg8050]

Tough, tough loss. Makes tomorrow's game real important. They don't want to go into the All-Star break on a 3 game losing streak.

Not to look too far down the road but it's losing games like this one that's gonna cost them a shot at the 4th seed and home-court in the 1st round. I'd hate to have to go to Cleveland for a Game 7 against LeBron and his boys. Like I said, steal one tomorrow night and call it even.

[hands11]

Post game they just showed Jamison getting lost on the alley op
and Brenda jumping out on a pick and roll that he didnt stop the guard. The guard slipped the double team and took it to the hoop.

This is exactly what Im talking about. Nice to see them highlight it.

[Skins11]

Originally posted by hands11


Thats a tough one to be made at Haywood for. He hardly touched the guy. You dont make that call that late in the game when its that close. Phil made a comment when we got the ball back that the refs woundnt give us that kind of call. I just started talking to myself, then why did they give them that kind of call.

I agree it was a BS call as were A LOT of calls (eg, Arenas getting smacked by Chris Anderson on his last layup but no call??), but Haywood DID hold the guy a little, as he did earlier in the game. Why put yourself in a position to screw it up.

[Diablo23]

Thank god there is a game tommorrow.

Get this nasty taste out of my mouth

[Fatty P For The Pulitzer]

Our D is just atrocious. Those guys who just beat us were all 3rd and 4th players off the bench on good teams. They're entire starting lineup was out injured. That was an embarassment. If last year's Wiz lost to them it would've been embarassing. The only good that'll come out of it is that tomorrow night they'll come out fired up.

[hands11]

Originally posted by Fatty P For The Pulitzer
Our D is just atrocious. Those guys who just beat us were all 3rd and 4th players off the bench on good teams. They're entire starting lineup was out injured. That was an embarassment. If last year's Wiz lost to them it would've been embarassing. The only good that'll come out of it is that tomorrow night they'll come out fired up.

Yeah, well , Houston is hot. McGrady has been lighting us up.

I hope we win, but I wasnt counting on us winning tomarrows game. I had that one down as an L.

Thu 20 @ Orlando W 108 - 99 21-19 T. McGrady 27
Fri 21 @ New York W 92 - 91 22-19 T. McGrady 35
Mon 24 Orlando W 89 - 78 23-19 Y. Ming 22
Wed 26 @ New Orleans W 82 - 77 24-19 T. McGrady 33
Fri 28 Sacramento L 111 - 117 OT 24-20 T. McGrady 30
Sun 30 @ Miami L 95 - 104 24-21 T. McGrady 28
Mon 31 @ Boston W 97 - 94 25-21 Y. Ming 23
Wed 2 @ Philadelphia W 118 - 95 26-21 T. McGrady 34
Fri 4 @ Minnesota W 119 - 113 OT 27-21 T. McGrady 40
Sun 6 L.A. Lakers W 103 - 102 28-21 Y. Ming 23
Wed 9 Chicago W 105 - 92 29-21 T. McGrady 24
Fri 11 @ Indiana W 91 - 83 30-21 B. Sura 17
Sun 13 Portland W 81 - 80 31-21 Y. Ming 23


Thats 11-2
4-1 at home
7-1 on the road.

We are running into a buzz saw folkes.

Grant, there arnt any big names there but they also to;

Jan
Wed 12 @ Dallas W 124 - 114
Sat 15 San Antonio W 73 - 67

In not saying its not possible, but its going to be tough.
I wonder if we will see Ramos against Ming.

[TODD]

I think we looked past these guys, especially Eddie Jordan. Laron Profit came in that game way too early and that's when you can tell EJ was cocky about our chances.

[bofluid]

Originally posted by hands11
In not saying its not possible, but its going to be tough.
I wonder if we will see Ramos against Ming.

I'm going to say Ramos will get some minutes tonight. Yao is just too big for Etan and Ruffin.

[RedskinsNation]

These effing Wizards...

How do we lose to New Orleans????

For once we actually make our FT's but we still double team and run around and give countless wideopen 3's!!!!!!!!!!!!

We just dont play Defense plain and simple..

Chris Andersen looks like Larry Bird combined w/Lebron James....this guy is catching oops now for crying out loud.

We just dont play Defense and our defensive system is flat out not working against defending the outside shots...which is what these NBA players are all about. If you cant guard the outside shot...atleast be near the guy then you cant win.

I had booked that game as a W beforehand w/a sure loss tonight....now we need to win tonight somehow, someway but the Rockets are hot right now and are at home.

We may be in trouble tonight...this is truly embarrasing...i feel just as angry as that Toronto loss 2 weeks ago when Gil got ejected w/a 15 pt. lead.

[PCRoughrider]

They played like losers and they deserved to lose. I have no hope against Houston tonight.

It could get ugly. Real ugly!

[DUSTINMFOX]

Originally posted by RedskinsNation
These effing Wizards...

How do we lose to New Orleans????

For once we actually make our FT's but we still double team and run around and give countless wideopen 3's!!!!!!!!!!!!

We just dont play Defense plain and simple..

Chris Andersen looks like Larry Bird combined w/Lebron James....this guy is catching oops now for crying out loud.

We just dont play Defense and our defensive system is flat out not working against defending the outside shots...which is what these NBA players are all about. If you cant guard the outside shot...atleast be near the guy then you cant win.

I had booked that game as a W beforehand w/a sure loss tonight....now we need to win tonight somehow, someway but the Rockets are hot right now and are at home.

We may be in trouble tonight...this is truly embarrasing...i feel just as angry as that Toronto loss 2 weeks ago when Gil got ejected w/a 15 pt. lead.

I feel your pain....

I'm watching last night's game with four buddies and I'm thinking no matter how good offensively we are...we'll never be a great (balanced) team w/this defense. I hope you guys don't think Kwame is the answer either....

[Skins11]

Davis out, Mashburn out (even though I think he sucks and is overrated), Magloire out. #@$(#*$!! A bunch of benchwarmer white dudes kicked the Wizards' asses. What the hell.

[Skins11]

Oh yeah, I just want to say that I want to beat Chris Anderson to a pulp with a bag of broken glass. What a f_in tool. And he fouled Arenas on that layup and went over the back countless times. But still nobody could box him out.

[RedskinsNation]

Originally posted by DUSTINMFOX


I feel your pain....

I'm watching last night's game with four buddies and I'm thinking no matter how good offensively we are...we'll never be a great (balanced) team w/this defense. I hope you guys don't think Kwame is the answer either....

Kwame cant guard the guys that kill us from behind the arc....Kwame isnt really a defensive presence...he can rebound the ball and provide a few put backs...but he will be real rusty and i dont expect much from him for awhile.

The answer is:

IMO....changing the scheme on defense. I know and have accepted the fact that Jamison & Arenas arent great defensive players...but by double teaming game after game it just has led to so many wideopen 3's. Last night it got us and luckily N.O. was the worst shooting team otherwise it might have been a blowout early by them.

I think Hughes is needed to do all the running around and scrambling involved in double teaming...but i still think we should ditch that method...we give up so many points a game.

[Chachie]

Originally posted by Skins11
Davis out, Mashburn out (even though I think he sucks and is overrated), Magloire out. #@$(#*$!! A bunch of benchwarmer white dudes kicked the Wizards' asses. What the hell.

I couldn't agree more. The Wizards walked off the court with a TON of egg on their faces. To see DAN DICKAU take us apart like that was humiliating. Not to mention that the teams we've been losing to are physical teams. The Hornets out-finessed us, out-shot us and out RAN our *****es. Oofaaahh..
If they wanted to take any good vibes into the all-star break, they should have won last night. We are tired and on the road and playing HOUSTON tonight. Ugh. :doh: