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I'm looking forward to this game. Not many teams in the East playing as well as Washington. Wall has been pretty damn good and will be a good test for the defense and their bigs are pretty mobile/skilled.
I'll be at the game tonight, so I figured that I might as well get the game thread going...
Spurs (35-13) @ Wizards (24-23)
2.5.14 | 6:00 PM
Verizon Center // Washington D.C.
TV: FSSW | RD: 1200,1350 (Esp)
Gameday Preview: Spurs @ Wizards - 2/5/14
The Washington Wizards finally moved above .500 after beating another Western Conference powerhouse their last time out.
Now, they'll try to get over the hump against the San Antonio Spurs.
Washington tries to avoid a 16th consecutive loss to San Antonio as these teams conclude their season series in the nation's capital Wednesday night.
The Wizards (24-23) blew their first seven chances to get over the break-even mark before breaking through with a 100-90 win over Portland on Monday. Washington, which easily got by West-leading Oklahoma City 96-81 two nights earlier, hadn't been above .500 since opening 2-1 in 2009-10.
"It's only one game over, but, yeah, it's a big relief," All-Star guard John Wall said. "But the main thing is we've got bigger goals to try to keep winning games and try to keep getting better and try not to go back down - so we won't have to have this talk again."
Wall led the way with 22 points and Trevor Ariza added 20 for Washington, which held an 18-6 edge in transition. The Wizards limited the Trail Blazers to 38.5 percent shooting and 35 points over the final two quarters, tied for their lowest total allowed in a half this season. Washington, in fifth place in the East, is hoping to make its first postseason appearance since 2007-08. The Wizards last won three in a row Jan. 13-17, tied for their longest winning streak of the season.
"How many more games have we got to play?" coach Randy Wittman said. "You act like that was the last daggum game. ... If we're going to learn to be a good basketball team, we have to do this every night, no matter who you're playing.
"It's great that we're 24-23 now, but I don't want them to focus on a number. I want them to focus on the act of why you're 24-23. That's where you keep it going. I want this team to get on a run. They haven't ever been on a run."
Pulling out another victory could prove difficult against the Spurs (35-13), who have dominated this series over the years. San Antonio has won 15 consecutive matchups, including six straight in Washington by an average of 21.1 points.
Wall had a quiet night as Washington fell 92-79 at San Antonio on Nov. 13, scoring 14 points and shooting 5 of 19. His average of 11.8 points in five career meetings with the Spurs is his lowest against any team.
San Antonio has followed a season-worst three-game losing streak with back-to-back wins, 95-93 over Sacramento on Saturday and 102-95 at New Orleans on Monday. Tony Parker had 32 points and nine assists while Tim Duncan scored 21 to go along with a season high-tying six blocks.
The Spurs trailed by 14 with 11:15 left in the fourth quarter before outscoring the Pelicans 36-15 the rest of the way.
"Finally, in the fourth quarter, we were more physical and played better defense," said Parker, whose team is shooting an NBA-best 50.4 percent in the fourth. "We just know how to win. ... In the fourth quarter, when it's tight, we know how to execute and we know what we want to do on offense."
Danny Green shot 1 of 7 and finished with seven points in his first game back after missing 10 due to a broken left hand. The Spurs, who went 5-5 during his absence, are 17-3 when he scores at least seven.
San Antonio is still dealing with injuries to Kawhi Leonard (broken hand) and Manu Ginobili (strained hamstring).
Last edited by txstr1986; 02-05-2014 at 11:22 AM.
I'm looking forward to this game. Not many teams in the East playing as well as Washington. Wall has been pretty damn good and will be a good test for the defense and their bigs are pretty mobile/skilled.
I was at the Wizards game this past Saturday when they absolutely crushed OKC. Everything that they threw up seemed to go through the hoop. It was beautiful to watch, especially because I was with a buddy who's a huge OKC fan. Nene and Gortat are a great frontcourt duo, and Ariza and Webster on the wings are very skilled "3 and D" types. Also, John Wall has definitely made that next step in his improvement - the guy can flat out ball.
Agreed. Beal is a very talented player too. Wall/Beal make a nice back court with regards to size, combined athletic ability and combo of shot making/attacking.
With Gortat/Nene playing well, it allows guys like Ariza/Webster to really gamble and at times they can cause some serious issues defensively.
Wish I could go to the game. Spurs ,finally, near my neck of the woods.
Hopefully Duncan will bring his All Star-snub fury to this game and block another 6-7 shots.
This would be a huge win if they can get it.
This will be a difficult game but one that the spurs can win if they are mentally prepared to play a good team. Clubs like OKC and Portland were, I believe, not focusing on how much Washington has improved and got burned for it.
Wizards by 6+
Shootaround: Tony Parker
2.5.14 |
4m5s
Shootaround: Coach Pop
2.5.14 |
6m43s
pop: " .....eh.... no, belinelli is not quicker then i thought..."
Thankfully, Green is back to save TP the embarrassment of guarding Wall.
Green is going to have a long night defensively but I think he is up to it.
Wish we could have one of Ariza/Webster.
Wizards play up/down to their compe ion, tbh..
They have a lot of talent and they'll end up with the 3rd seed in the East if they can stay healthy..tough game, especially without Leonard and Manu against their wings(Beal, Ariza)..
They have Nene and Gortat to defend Tim, and they will have a huge size advantage on the perimeter without KL/Manu..Spurs will need the bench to put up big numbers tonight, particularly Mills and Beli..
Should be a win But Wiz has been looking like a blocker against better teams lately so as long as the Spurs dont take the game lightly they will be allright I think.
This is going to be a good game. I'm glad Green is back and I hope his shot improves. That dude Seraphin is going to give us trouble. We just need to limit their fast break points, limit turnovers, and control the glass.
Michael Lee @MrMichaelLee
#wizards taking ball-movement cue from SAS: bitly.com/1gN2xcb
have my tickets cant wait to see the spurs play in person. ending my 4yr drought
I wonder who is faster between Wall and Parker
What section are you in? I'm in 229.
It's my birthday today so it would be a nice present for the team to come through with a win tonight. It'll be tough though. GSG!
Easy win
this isn't 2004, tbh..
Bullets have been balling of late, so this would be a great win if the Spurs can go get it.
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