Bugs'
February-23rd-2005, 10:16 AM
Memphis (30-23) at Washington (30-22)
Game Info: 7:00 pm EST Wed Feb 23, 2005
TV: GRSN, CSNB
With players banged up and a long season taking its toll, the All-Star break provides teams with some much-needed relief.
Two teams that seemed particularly in need of the extra rest will square off when the Washington Wizards and Memphis Grizzlies conclude their season series.
Washington went into the break on a three-game losing streak, a negative end to what was otherwise a surprisingly strong first half.
``We've got a heck of a ride in front of us,'' Wizards coach Eddie Jordan said. ``We did pretty good for the first half of the season. The toughest part lays ahead.''
Memphis, meanwhile, has lost back-to-back games -- shooting a combined 35 percent -- after winning three straight.
Both teams have key players nursing injuries.
The Wizards have been playing without second-leading scorer Larry Hughes, who fractured his right thumb in a win over the Phoenix Suns on Jan. 15. It's possible Hughes and Kwame Brown, out since early January with an ankle problem, could return for this contest.
Washington, however, lost guard Juan Dixon in its final game before the break, a 123-93 loss to the Houston Rockets on Feb. 15.
Dixon left in the second quarter with a sprained right ankle and did not return. He's expected to be sidelined for at least two weeks.
``He's in pain,'' Wizards coach Eddie Jordan said. ``It seems to be a significant sprain.''
Washington All-Star Gilbert Arenas scored 11 points on 3-of-14 shooting against the Rockets after averaging 31 in his previous three games.
Arenas had seven points and Antawn Jamison had five, representing Washington in Sunday's All-Star game, a 125-115 East win.
Grizzlies top scorer Paul Gasol has been sidelined indefinitely with a foot injury while James Posey (Achilles') and Stromile Swift (ankle) are also out.
``You've got to be proud of our team and our players,'' said Gasol, whose absence since Jan. 25 has shifted the Grizzlies' focus on offense to the perimeter.
Memphis is 7-4 since Gasol went on the injured list, and the team is fourth in the league in 3-point shooting percentage.
Coach Mike Fratello, who led the team on a 12-3 tear in January, has given the Grizzlies hope for a playoff spot after taking over for Hubie Brown.
Brown, who took Memphis to the playoffs last season, unexpectedly retired in December after the team stumbled to a 5-11 start.
Game Info: 7:00 pm EST Wed Feb 23, 2005
TV: GRSN, CSNB
With players banged up and a long season taking its toll, the All-Star break provides teams with some much-needed relief.
Two teams that seemed particularly in need of the extra rest will square off when the Washington Wizards and Memphis Grizzlies conclude their season series.
Washington went into the break on a three-game losing streak, a negative end to what was otherwise a surprisingly strong first half.
``We've got a heck of a ride in front of us,'' Wizards coach Eddie Jordan said. ``We did pretty good for the first half of the season. The toughest part lays ahead.''
Memphis, meanwhile, has lost back-to-back games -- shooting a combined 35 percent -- after winning three straight.
Both teams have key players nursing injuries.
The Wizards have been playing without second-leading scorer Larry Hughes, who fractured his right thumb in a win over the Phoenix Suns on Jan. 15. It's possible Hughes and Kwame Brown, out since early January with an ankle problem, could return for this contest.
Washington, however, lost guard Juan Dixon in its final game before the break, a 123-93 loss to the Houston Rockets on Feb. 15.
Dixon left in the second quarter with a sprained right ankle and did not return. He's expected to be sidelined for at least two weeks.
``He's in pain,'' Wizards coach Eddie Jordan said. ``It seems to be a significant sprain.''
Washington All-Star Gilbert Arenas scored 11 points on 3-of-14 shooting against the Rockets after averaging 31 in his previous three games.
Arenas had seven points and Antawn Jamison had five, representing Washington in Sunday's All-Star game, a 125-115 East win.
Grizzlies top scorer Paul Gasol has been sidelined indefinitely with a foot injury while James Posey (Achilles') and Stromile Swift (ankle) are also out.
``You've got to be proud of our team and our players,'' said Gasol, whose absence since Jan. 25 has shifted the Grizzlies' focus on offense to the perimeter.
Memphis is 7-4 since Gasol went on the injured list, and the team is fourth in the league in 3-point shooting percentage.
Coach Mike Fratello, who led the team on a 12-3 tear in January, has given the Grizzlies hope for a playoff spot after taking over for Hubie Brown.
Brown, who took Memphis to the playoffs last season, unexpectedly retired in December after the team stumbled to a 5-11 start.