The Highs and Lows of Win #12: Wizards 111, Timberwolves 103

Box Score
Game Flow
Post Recap
Times Recap
Live Blog
Wizards Insider
Outlet

Canis Hoopus
TWolves Blog

Highest Plus/Minus: Andray Blatche (+21)
Lowest Plus/Minus: JaVale McGee (-14)
Best Five Man Unit: Mike James, Caron Butler, Dominic McGuire, Antawn Jamison, Darius Songaila (+7 to start the game)
Worst Five Man Unit: Mike James, Nick Young, Caron Butler, Antawn Jamison, JaVale McGee (-8 in the 2nd Quarter)

Four Factors

Photo of the Game

(via joshp)

Game Thread Comment of the Game: "Wow - the All-Star Break did wonders for Songaila's legs." by Rook6980.

What you saw last night is par for the course for two teams that have no chance of making the playoffs: Lots of momentum swings, moments of brilliance, moments that make you cringe, and just about everything in-between.  It can be gut-wrenching at times, but at least it keeps the viewing experience exciting, which is important when the teams is 30 games under .500.

Some notes from last night's game:

• Just like you expect the sun to rise every morning, you should expect Mike James to take the open three on a kick-out pass every chance he gets, regardless of the situation.  It worked out nicely last night as he opened the game with a three pointer and he buried two three-pointers late in the game to clinch the victory, but I wouldn't get used to seeing that happen.
• It's almost sad how I've become conditioned to know that the Wizards just can't hold onto a substantial lead for more than 10 minutes.  Even as the Wizards' lead ballooned to 19, I knew that it would probably be a competitive ballgame again by the halfway point of the 3rd Quarter.  They actually exceeded my expectations by letting the lead drop from 17 to 5 in a two minute span late in the 2nd Quarter.  In that stretch, the Wizards had an eight second violation, three other turnovers, and a goaltending call.  That's not going to get it done.
• Javaris Crittenton is a keeper.  He gives the team a guard with size that can play along side Gilbert Arenas once he comes back, he can play some defense, and he doesn't eat up a lot of possessions.  Plus, Crittenton gives the team someone that can push the ball in transition, which the team has been lacking since Gilbert's injury.  He can still be erratic at times, but he's still just 21 years old.  Those things will work themselves out in time.  Let's hope he gets a chance to crack the starting lineup sometime soon.  He's earned it.
  
• Overall, I was impressed with Blatche's return last night.  You could tell that he was getting a little winded near the end, but that will come back once he gets his legs under him.  The knee that kept him out the last few weeks didn't seem to bother him at all.  When he was in the game, he did a very good job of keeping Kevin Love from wreaking havoc on the boards, which was huge because the Wizards couldn't afford to give the Wolves even more chances then they had already received because of their 17 turnovers.