Open Thread: Regular Season Game 78 vs. Miami Heat

by Jake Whitacre on Apr 4, 2009 5:00 PM EDT in Game Threads

Miami Heat at Washington Wizards, Apr 4, 2009 7:00 PM EDT

The Essentials:
Heat (40-36) at Wizards (18-59)
7:00 p.m.
Verizon Center
CSN

This year:
November 14: Heat 97, Wizards 77
November 18: Heat 94, Wizards 87
January 18: Heat 93, Wizards 71

Notable Heat numbers this season:
15th in expected winning percentage (.497)
22nd in pace factor (90.7 possessions per game)
19th in offensive efficiency/offensive rating (107.5)
13th in defensive efficiency/defensive rating (107.6)

Key Links: (drop any others in the comments)
Peninsula is Mightier
Crazy From the Heat
Ira Winderman on the Heat
Game Day Heat
The Other Side: Miami

Tonight's Projected Starters
Wizards	vs.	Heat
Agent Zero	PG	Mario Chalmers
Taser	SG	Dwyane Wade
Tough Juice	SF	Jamario Moon
The Last Man Standing	PF	Michael Beasley
Brendan Haywood	C	Jermaine O'Neal

I don't know if you all see this as depressing or as a relief, but here's the schedule for the rest of the season:

Wizards Schedule

Next 5 Games

Miami	Sat 04/04	7:00 PM EDT
@ Cleveland	Wed 04/08	7:00 PM EDT
@ Toronto	Fri 04/10	8:00 PM EDT
Toronto	Mon 04/13	7:00 PM EDT
@ Boston	Wed 04/15	8:00 PM EDT

Yep, that's it. Only 5 games stand between now and the end of the season and the start of what should be a very interesting off-season as we look forward to a potential lottery pick, a new head coach, and possibly the shedding of some deadweight contracts.

There's a lot of things to look forward to, but first let's get tonight out of the way. After hosting one MVP candidate on Thursday night, we get another tonight in the form of Dwyane Wade. If I had an MVP vote to cast, I'd vote for LeBron, but as a Wizards fan, I'm much more scared of facing D-Wade. In his career he's 20-2 against Washington, including a four-game sweep of the Wizards in 2004 Eastern Conference Semifinals. In fact, the only two losses he's had against us came last year when the Heat were 15-67 and while he was playing through injury.

Needless to say, I'm not feeling great about tonight's match-up, even if Gilbert and Brendan play tonight.

This is an open thread, so if you've ever fed Caron Butler for a sweet dunk, talk about it here.

GO WIZARDS!

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Comments

Going to the game...

Hope Gilbert plays.

That is all.

Representing DC with Wizards & Stuff - Truth About It.net and Bullets Forever.

by Kyle Weidie on Apr 4, 2009 5:35 PM EDT reply actions

Same here

The Heat are a boring team to watch, so the only way I get my 40 dollars worth is if Gilbo suits up.

by pantslessyoda1 on Apr 4, 2009 6:12 PM EDT up reply actions

I thought no back to backs?

by Fundefined on Apr 4, 2009 6:54 PM EDT up reply actions

He isnt playing

according to NBA tv

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laydODN6xVk

by hibachi on Apr 4, 2009 7:12 PM EDT up reply actions

omg

that play by wade was SICK.

Getting buckets since 2003.

by Icantfeelmyface on Apr 4, 2009 7:21 PM EDT reply actions

Let me interrupt your local NBA game

With yet another reason to love Blake Griffin. Jim Gray asked him a question at halftime of the first men’s semifinal about hard work and what does he say to people in these times. Griffin didn’t get fluster all and talked about how his parents instilled the work ethic he has and to tell whoever was listen to stick with what they are doing. Big, strong and a good head on his shoulders, oh please let us win the lottery and Blake Griffin!

"Would you like to shoot me now or wait till you get home." --- Daffy Duck

by George Templeton on Apr 4, 2009 7:24 PM EDT reply actions