Open Thread and Contest: Game 77

by Mike Prada on Apr 10, 2007 2:46 PM EDT in Game Threads

Regular Season Game 77
Nets (36-40) at Wizards (39-37)
Verizon Center
7 PM
CSN and NBA TV! (Woo)

Nets 105, Wizards 93.
Nets 113, Wizards 101
Nets 120, Wizards 114

New Jersey goes for the 4-0 sweep tonight at the VC in the second game of a home and home. A Wizards win would put them up 4 games on New Jersey for the 6th seed with 5 to play, which should probably wrap it up. A New Jersey win, and the Wizards have only a 2 game lead, with games against Miami and Chicago looming.

And since there's really nothing else to add, let's pray for the unleashing of Andray Blatche.

Blatche said the knee feels about "90 percent" and is not concerned about conditioning because he stayed in shape on an exercise bike while doing other workouts.

"I'm ready to play as long as he wants me out there," Blatche said.

Jordan indicated yesterday that he was considering bringing Blatche off the bench in tandem with forward Darius Songaila tonight.

I'm not sure whether that means we'll see less of Brendan Haywood or less of Jarvis Hayes, but either way, it's a no-brainer. Blatche needs to play, especially against a team with New Jersey's perimeter quickness.

Your lines for tonight:

Nets at Wizards: Nets by 3.
Over/Under on Thomas/Daniels assists/rebounds per 40 minutes (really, this isn't so complicated): 18.5 (12.1 + 6.4).

This is an open game thread, so any Jason Kidd wife-beating jokes go here.

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Comments

Wiz

Wiz/over

I wish I was going to the game so I could offer JKid a cookie.

http://www.withleather.com/post.phtml?pk=2155

What? They don't have TV in the D-League? Don't watch me, watch TV.

by Mac G on Apr 10, 2007 3:43 PM EDT reply actions

Touche

Wiz and Over...I feel a playoff berth.

You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.

by Mike Prada on Apr 10, 2007 3:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Mr Triple Double

Jason sure can beat the ball up the court and his wife. Just do not refuse him a fry from a kids happy meal.

http://rhymeswithsnitch.blogspot.com/2007/01/why-you-changing-now.html

What? They don't have TV in the D-League? Don't watch me, watch TV.

by Mac G on Apr 10, 2007 3:52 PM EDT reply actions

Picks

Nets
Over

No siento mi cara.

by Jake Whitacre on Apr 10, 2007 5:04 PM EDT reply actions

picks

nets/over

the real question is who do the wiz wanna play in the first round? i say:

Canada
Cleveland
Chicago
Miami

by facekdr on Apr 10, 2007 5:28 PM EDT reply actions

So real

That it's becoming the new poll question.

You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.

by Mike Prada on Apr 10, 2007 6:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Jefferson has 21 points

and Jarvis is 1 of 5.

Yet only 5 minutes for Blatche thus far. Huh?

You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.

by Mike Prada on Apr 10, 2007 8:29 PM EDT reply actions

Up 5 1:30 left and lose?Why?

Why is Donnel Taylor in at the end of the game, instead of Roger Mason?

Why does Jarvis continue to take bad shots early in the shot clock?

Why does no one rotate back on defense and instead give up 3 fast breaks?

Why does Vince Carter look like he sleep walks to 30 points?

Why did Daniels not play more earlier in the season?

Why did Blatche get zero pt?

What? They don't have TV in the D-League? Don't watch me, watch TV.

by Mac G on Apr 10, 2007 9:44 PM EDT reply actions

Just a thought

Maybe Eddie is trying to limit Blatche's minutes to have him ready for the playoffs? I know it's a stretch but is there really any reason for the team's only halfway decent post threat to be playing 25-30 minutes a game at this point in the season? I mean, I know it would give him experience but is it worth risking his knee (which I'm fairly sure isn't 100% yet) for a few meaningless games before the playoffs. I know it's contradicting on what I said in the manifesto, but...I'm not a politician so I'm allowed to.

No siento mi cara.

by Jake Whitacre on Apr 10, 2007 11:31 PM EDT reply actions

That would make more sense

If the Wizards were locked into that sixth spot (like say, if they came back to win in New Jersey over the weekend). Then, they would have come into this game up 4 on the Nets with 6 to play, and even if they did lose, it would be 3 with 5 to play. But until they put New Jersey away, I don't really buy that.

The other theory that's been tossed around here is that management is deliberately trying to stunt his market value, which would enable Ernie to sign him to a cheaper contract extension. I don't really buy that either.

Honestly, I just think Eddie dropped the ball. He's been known to screw up the rotation, and I think he did so again. Maybe his knee got a bit stiff in the first half or something.

You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.

by Mike Prada on Apr 10, 2007 11:59 PM EDT up reply actions