In the second night of back to back games the Trailblazers head to Washington to take on the WIzards
Gametime is four pm Pacific time.
Since this is our first look at the WIzards this season here is a video preview of the 2008 Washington Wizards
http://www.nba.com/video/channels/n..._wizards_preview.nba/index.html?player=nba_tv
Projected starters
Portland Trailblazers
Steve Blake -PG
Brandon Roy-SG
Nic Batum-SF
LaMarcus Aldridge-PF
Greg Oden-Center
Projected starters
Washington Wizards
Dee Brown-PG
DeShawn Stevenson-SG
Caron Butler SF
Antawan Jamison-PF
JaVale McGee-Center
Tuesday nights win over the Knicks was not as easy as everyone thought it would be. Prevailing theory was that our bigs would control the paint, and we would easily score inside against a smaller New York team. Didn't really work out that way and the Blazers struggled against a small fast 3 guard lineup. Similar to the Don Nelson offense that the Warriors used to beat our team, the Knicks played some D and seduced the Blazers into tossing up some outside shots they probably shouldn't have taken. After failing at making them play our game Nate went to a smaller lineup, put in Rudy and we ended up winning.
This isn't supposed to be a review of the Knicks game, but more a preview of the Wizards game. The reason I mention what happened in New York is because I think its a strategy other teams will now try to use against us. The Wizards are deeper than the Knicks but not much deeper. And they beat the Nets by twenty Tuesday night with guards Nick Young and exBlazer Antonio Daniels coming off the bench and playing twenty minutes each. They may well employ some of the same tactics used by the Knicks and the Warriors. Teams are going to try this against our team until we prove we will ram the ball down their throats when they go small.
With Gilbert Arenas injured again the Wizards are lacking in firepower. But they have been getting some mileage out of well traveled veteran Antwan Jamison, DeShawn Stevenson, and all star Caron Butler. Not enough mileage to earn them a respectable record though. The Wizards will take the floor against the Blazers sporting a 3-12 record. New coach Ed Tapscott has re-engergized the team since taking the helm about a week ago.
Though outmatched on paper, the Wizards do have a homecourt advantage and the ability to ambush a Blazer team we hope will not be looking ahead to Friday nights game in Boston. Unless you gave me enough points though I don't think I'd bet any money on the Wizards for this game. Blazers by 7.
