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Open Thread: Playoff Game 2

Washington @ Cleveland


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The Essentials:
Eastern Conference Quarterfinals Game 2 (Cavs up 1-0)
7 p.m. (That's 2 a.m. if you're in Israel. Load up on the coffee.)
TNT

Key Links (drop any others in the comments)
Arenas will play through sprained wrist.
Wizards will continue to play physical, Brendan will continue to become Robert Horry.
Tough Juice is ready.
TrueHoop bullets from Game 1.

More evidence that Mike Brown isn't exactly the greatest offensive coach ever.


Tonight's Lines:
Wizards at Cavaliers:
Cavs by 2
Over/Under on Total Points: 179

They say it doesn't really become a playoff series until somebody wins on the road.  In order for this series to become legitimate, the Wizards are going to need to look back to what they did in '06 in this same game to make it happen.  They have to set the tone early (by which I mean, do this, but make sure it's clean), hit outside shots, and take LeBron out of his element if possible.  It won't be easy but at least they won't also have to worry about Drew Gooden going for 24 points on 11-12 shooting, and we don't have to live in fear of how Eddie is going to distribute minutes to Billy Thomas (now he's Cleveland's problem!) and Michael Ruffin.

As far as what else needs to change to put a W in the books tonight, just go back to the Game 1 recap.  Here are some cool facts from tonight's game notes (it's a PDF!) in no particular order:

  1. Tonight will be the 26th time that the Wizards have played the Cavs in the last 3 years.
  2. Eddie Jordan was the 33rd draft pick in 1977, where he was chosen by, you guessed it, the Cavs.
  3. More coaching connections: Mike Brown was an assistant to Bernie Bickerstaff for two years in Washington and Cavs assistant coach Chris Jent was a player at Ohio State while the Buckeyes were being coached by Wizards assistant coach Randy Ayers.
  4. Since the creation of the Southeast Division, the Wizards have finished 2nd every season.
  5. Just in case you needed more proof that DeShawn was really bad in '07 playoffs (and in Game 1) his career playoff scoring high is 14 points.  Adding insult to injury, that high came while he was with Utah.
  6. The Wizards played more overtime games than any other team this season.
  7. Which player had the single best rebounding performance against the Wiz this season?  Dwight Howard? Marcus Camby? Tim Duncan? No, it was Nick Collison (21).
  8. Back to backs mean nothing to this team!  They had a 9-11 record on the front end, and a 9-11 record on the back end.
  9. Guess which player had the best record as a starter this season.  If you guessed Darius Songaila (9-4) you'd be correct.
  10. The player with the best one quarter scoring performance this season was...Roger Mason (17 in the 4th quarter against Seattle).

This is an open thread, so if you think taking LeBron's advice tonight would be a good idea, discuss it here.

 

0 recs | Comment 122 comments

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Comments

Display:

Picks

Wizards
Over

Bullets Forever: Your home for blogging on the dumbest team in the history of civilization.

by JakeTheSnake on Apr 21, 2008 2:02 PM EDT   0 recs

Gil Update

He’s got a wrap, lost some money, good to go tonight.

In other news, IC might want to take the story about the drinking game out. I sure don’t want want the best beat writer around to get the Michael Tunison treatment.

Bullets Forever: Your home for blogging on the dumbest team in the history of civilization.

by JakeTheSnake on Apr 21, 2008 2:12 PM EDT   0 recs

Picks

Wizards.
Over.

Let’s go ‘zards!

"My only regret is that I have boneitis." - That Guy on Futurama

by Wizards on Apr 21, 2008 2:18 PM EDT   0 recs

Picks

Wizards
Over

by Aldo on Apr 21, 2008 2:32 PM EDT   0 recs

Go Wiz

i thought we’d win game 1.. and then we didnt. . so while its not absolutely necessary, we BETTER win this one.

evaflowin.blogspot.com

by eva.future on Apr 21, 2008 3:05 PM EDT   0 recs

is it just me?

or does quicken loans arena seem a lot smaller than all the other Nba arenas when your watching on tv

Andray Blatche > Lebron James

by blatcheallstar09 on Apr 21, 2008 3:59 PM EDT   0 recs

Picks

Wiz, over

by ooba on Apr 21, 2008 4:23 PM EDT   0 recs

Picks

Wiz, Over.

We need Tough Juice to show up in this one.

The Washington Wizards: providing career scoring nights for unknown opposing bench players since 2004.

by mamemimo on Apr 21, 2008 4:36 PM EDT   0 recs

Picks

David Stern/Refs, under

by Truth About It on Apr 21, 2008 5:15 PM EDT   0 recs

Go Wiz!

It’s after 2 a.m. in Jerusalem. I just got back from a night of partying, and I have to wake up in four hours.

I’m still staying up for this, though.

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

by Pradamaster on Apr 21, 2008 7:10 PM EDT   0 recs

Jamison has come out strong

Love the start. Don’t love the second foul call on Haywood.

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

by Pradamaster on Apr 21, 2008 7:18 PM EDT   0 recs

That technical was BS

by Aldo on Apr 21, 2008 7:25 PM EDT   0 recs

Ridiculous

What was that T for?

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

by Pradamaster on Apr 21, 2008 7:25 PM EDT   0 recs

Arenas gave the slightest of a push after the foul was called.

by Aldo on Apr 21, 2008 7:27 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Need a TO

Now.

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

by Pradamaster on Apr 21, 2008 7:28 PM EDT   0 recs

Or a Blatche O-board

Prompting Glenn Consor to say “he’s as good as any forward in the league” when he’s focused.

Right.

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

by Pradamaster on Apr 21, 2008 7:29 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

wow...

lebron’s scoring average would be ten points lower if they didn’t allow him the tuck and run. absurd.

by five by five on Apr 21, 2008 7:31 PM EDT   0 recs

The T was just....

Gil’s shove was extra-curricular. Gotta remember that the refs probably want to keep this game on a short leash.

Varejao’s move on Andray was BS….but he was probably instructed to do just that.

MAKE YOU DAMN FTs!

by Truth About It on Apr 21, 2008 7:33 PM EDT   0 recs

this is eerily similar

this erasing of the six-point wizards lead is oddly similar to the 2nd quarter of gm 1 when a combo of bad calling and bad defense by the wiz led to an 11 point comback

Andray Blatche > Lebron James

by blatcheallstar09 on Apr 21, 2008 7:35 PM EDT   0 recs

lebron

one poor note for him this series has been ft shooting

Andray Blatche > Lebron James

by blatcheallstar09 on Apr 21, 2008 7:35 PM EDT   0 recs

free throws

I’m thinking about starting a poll: “what item in my apartment should I destroy in frothy-mouthed frustration over missed free throws and bad calls?”

by sierradave on Apr 21, 2008 7:36 PM EDT   0 recs

by the way

I don’t think I’ve mentioned this yet, but Lebron James is a fucking Diva.

by sierradave on Apr 21, 2008 7:38 PM EDT   0 recs

Well, what are our choices sierradave?

I vote for LeBron’s collection of porcelain angels in compromising positions.

by Truth About It on Apr 21, 2008 7:41 PM EDT   0 recs

Gilbert's clearly hurting

Very bad start, and that hurts.

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

by Pradamaster on Apr 21, 2008 7:43 PM EDT   0 recs

“Nice hands by Brendan Haywood”—Reggie Miller

My virgin ears have never heard that phrase before.

by Aldo on Apr 21, 2008 7:44 PM EDT   2 recs

Hah

If it was from anyone other than Reggie Miller, I’d feel better.

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

by Pradamaster on Apr 21, 2008 7:45 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Seriously

Wiz need to build a lead here.

by sierradave on Apr 21, 2008 7:47 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

BTW

This instant-update comment thingy is so hot.

And yes, for those who forget, I’m writing my dissertation on blogs. “instant-update comment thingy” is a technical term.

by sierradave on Apr 21, 2008 7:48 PM EDT to parent up   1 recs

By the way

We can recommend comments by clicking “actions.”

Just one of the new features on here.

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

by Pradamaster on Apr 21, 2008 7:47 PM EDT   2 recs

WTF

Mason has missed two FTs? Huh?

And LeBron’s back in.

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

by Pradamaster on Apr 21, 2008 7:48 PM EDT   0 recs

uh oh

Andray Blatche > Lebron James

by blatcheallstar09 on Apr 21, 2008 7:48 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm a blazer fan

And I love gameday open threads over at Blazersedge, but since we didn’t make the playoffs, I feel like rooting for the Wizards.

Who is Songila? I don’t think I’d seen him play until Saturday and I’ve watched quite a few Wizards games this year.

If all I'm remembered for is being a good basketball player, then I've done a bad job with the rest of my life. - Isiah Thomas

by JTDuck22 on Apr 21, 2008 7:49 PM EDT   0 recs

He's emerged late in the season

He’s been a big contributor off the bench since about February. Before then, he wasn’t doing much, but since that point, he’s probably been our best reserve big man.

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

by Pradamaster on Apr 21, 2008 7:50 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

thanks

he seems to have a good shot for a big

If all I'm remembered for is being a good basketball player, then I've done a bad job with the rest of my life. - Isiah Thomas

by JTDuck22 on Apr 21, 2008 7:50 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

That's what makes him effective

He’s the perfect Princeton reserve big man. If he was a little taller and a bit better on the glass, he’d be Brad Miller, and he’d be a 12-million dollar a year guy.

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

by Pradamaster on Apr 21, 2008 7:52 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

In night class how is gilbert doing

in a college night class was wondering how gilbert is doing and are the wizards playing better than last night

Corey

by Lets GO O's on Apr 21, 2008 7:52 PM EDT   0 recs

Gilbert's struggling

Picked up two quick fouls.

The score is up on the top of the blog … one of the new features here.

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

by Pradamaster on Apr 21, 2008 7:53 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

It looked like

the ball hit the backboard before LBJ blocked it…should have been a goaltend

If all I'm remembered for is being a good basketball player, then I've done a bad job with the rest of my life. - Isiah Thomas

by JTDuck22 on Apr 21, 2008 7:53 PM EDT   0 recs

Caron needs to pick it up

That’s been the big problem thus far in the series.

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

by Pradamaster on Apr 21, 2008 7:55 PM EDT   0 recs

How long have you guys

had the SB update?

If all I'm remembered for is being a good basketball player, then I've done a bad job with the rest of my life. - Isiah Thomas

by JTDuck22 on Apr 21, 2008 7:57 PM EDT   0 recs

cool

Do any of you type “zzzzz” in the subject line of a comment while trying to skip through posts?

If all I'm remembered for is being a good basketball player, then I've done a bad job with the rest of my life. - Isiah Thomas

by JTDuck22 on Apr 21, 2008 8:00 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Same day as BE

I believe.

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

by Pradamaster on Apr 21, 2008 8:00 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Wally is playing way too well

And we’re really struggling offensively. Why isn’t Gilbert in the game?

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

by Pradamaster on Apr 21, 2008 8:02 PM EDT   0 recs

Nevermind

Forget that comment.

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

by Pradamaster on Apr 21, 2008 8:03 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Need to play like they want it

There are a whole lot of cute passes that are getting mishandled inside

by sierradave on Apr 21, 2008 8:02 PM EDT   0 recs

Enough threes

That’s three in a row. Go to the rim.

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

by Pradamaster on Apr 21, 2008 8:04 PM EDT   0 recs

No composure on offense.

Have these Wizards fellows played with each other before?

by Truth About It on Apr 21, 2008 8:05 PM EDT   0 recs

Hockey update

Philly is up 2-0 with 18 minutes left in 2nd.

by Truth About It on Apr 21, 2008 8:07 PM EDT   0 recs

This reminds me

Of Game 4 of the 2006 series.

Hopefully the halftime speech is just as effective tonight as it was then.

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

by Pradamaster on Apr 21, 2008 8:08 PM EDT   0 recs

big z traveled

If all I'm remembered for is being a good basketball player, then I've done a bad job with the rest of my life. - Isiah Thomas

by JTDuck22 on Apr 21, 2008 8:08 PM EDT   0 recs

If they ain't calling a travel on Z

They just ain’t calling a travel at all.

by Truth About It on Apr 21, 2008 8:09 PM EDT   0 recs

Kill the short spurts

I thought that having Gil in short spurts would help him keep his rhythm, which he never re-established when he entered in the second half, but it’s just not working. Now no one has any rhythm offensively.

Bullets Forever: Your home for blogging on the dumbest team in the history of civilization.

by JakeTheSnake on Apr 21, 2008 8:09 PM EDT   0 recs

Geez this is awful

They’re making it way too easy.

Every play is within the first 10 seconds of the shot clock. They’re trying to score 14 points all at once. Calm down.

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

by Pradamaster on Apr 21, 2008 8:10 PM EDT   0 recs

How many times can Caron get hit

Before they call a foul?

Three, apparently.

by sierradave on Apr 21, 2008 8:11 PM EDT   0 recs

Reggie Miller is right

Don’t worry about attacking the rim with your head down….run the damn offense.

by Truth About It on Apr 21, 2008 8:12 PM EDT   0 recs

Boo

I don’t like putting in Nick Young at all. Our problem is that we’re moving too quickly. We need our more disciplined players in there.

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

by Pradamaster on Apr 21, 2008 8:12 PM EDT   0 recs

I got to go

dream about Roy, Aldridge, and Oden… good luck.

If all I'm remembered for is being a good basketball player, then I've done a bad job with the rest of my life. - Isiah Thomas

by JTDuck22 on Apr 21, 2008 8:13 PM EDT   0 recs

Geez

Terrible half.

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

by Pradamaster on Apr 21, 2008 8:14 PM EDT   0 recs

On that note

It’s 3:15 in the morning. I need to be up at 6:30. We have an unbelievably long day tomorrow. I might have to call it a night.

Keep talking, and please get better Wiz!

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

by Pradamaster on Apr 21, 2008 8:14 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

The only thing worse than the Wiz right now

Reggie Miller. He makes me want to strangle my ears.

Bullets Forever: Your home for blogging on the dumbest team in the history of civilization.

by JakeTheSnake on Apr 21, 2008 8:18 PM EDT   0 recs

Reggie's voice is the worst...

Never the same pitch…perpetual puberty.

by Truth About It on Apr 21, 2008 8:28 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

credit at the half to Sir Charles

For the PA for Obama shoutout :-)

by sierradave on Apr 21, 2008 8:23 PM EDT   0 recs

At least

Caps just got 1 goal back. I’m hoping not to see two huge deflating losses tonight.

Getting buckets since 2003.

by Icantfeelmyface on Apr 21, 2008 8:23 PM EDT   0 recs

WOW a 15 minute drive does wonders

after my night class concluded the wiz were up 30-29 and i get home 15 minutes later and they are down by 13.

what happened?

Corey

by Lets GO O's on Apr 21, 2008 8:36 PM EDT   0 recs

No offensive flow.

At all. Whatsoever.

Bullets Forever: Your home for blogging on the dumbest team in the history of civilization.

by JakeTheSnake on Apr 21, 2008 8:39 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

When did AD become our scoring option?

Bullets Forever: Your home for blogging on the dumbest team in the history of civilization.

by JakeTheSnake on Apr 21, 2008 8:40 PM EDT   0 recs

I'm down to drink....

I just had a couple shots of Pepto.

by Truth About It on Apr 21, 2008 8:40 PM EDT   0 recs

even when they move it well

They just can’t seem to finish

by sierradave on Apr 21, 2008 8:40 PM EDT   0 recs

Caps tied it up.

There’s hope until it’s taken away…..soon.

by Truth About It on Apr 21, 2008 8:41 PM EDT   0 recs

Go back to class....

Prada already went to bed…but I don’t think that’s working.

by Truth About It on Apr 21, 2008 8:44 PM EDT   0 recs

I think Lebron just posed with his slightly scraped elbow for the camera.

by Aldo on Apr 21, 2008 8:45 PM EDT   0 recs

fucking diva

Haywood puts a clean foul on him, he’s whining for a flagrant 2 and showing how he has a little ding on his arm

by sierradave on Apr 21, 2008 8:45 PM EDT   0 recs

and they're ejecting him

let’s be clear, Varejao punched Blatche in the head earlier tonight, while he was in the air. That’s a flagrant 1, though.

by sierradave on Apr 21, 2008 8:46 PM EDT