Wizards 97 - Cavaliers 83: Some thoughts on the second pre-season game

It is tough to recap a game that none of us were able to watch, but we will soldier on. First here are some links to the video highlights that the NBA has made available:

• First half highlights Full game recap (link)
• Incredible block by John Wall to end the first half (link)
  
• Andray Blatche with a monster slam (link)
  

Some observations:

• For the second straight game, Wall lead the team in minutes played (37:12).

• And while Wall had a poor night shooting (5-16), he settled down in the second half and managed to help the team in a number of different ways - on defense and through getting his teammates involved.

• Yi lead the team with 16 pts (7-11) and 7 rebounds.  It's the pre-season, but he is looking much better than what was expected from him.

• Wall lead the team with 9 assists and 3 steals and was tied for the team lead with 2 blocked shots.

• Flip appeared to make an effort to get the younger players some time as Seraphin (9:49), Booker (19:56) and Morrison (16:38) each saw their first action in the pre-season. However, the results were mixed at best as they each made positive plays, but also had some negative ones.

• JaVale McGee appeared to get in foul trouble which limited his playing time and effectiveness. He finished with 6 pts, 6 rebounds and 4 personal fouls in a little less than 13 minutes of play.

• Out of the young guys not named John Wall, Booker probably had the most impressive night finishing with 4 pts, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and 1 blocked shot. However, he also had 3 turnovers and 4 personal fouls.

• DNP's – Hilton Armstrong, Cartier Martin, Hamady Ndiaye, Kevin Palmer, Josh Howard and Sean Marks.

Positives:

• Wizards were able to hold Cleveland to 35.3% from the field and 25% from the three point line.

• The Wizards forced 23 turnovers.

• Wizards led in fastbreak points 21 to 15.

• Wizards were very accurate from the foul line hitting 85% of their attempts.

• Gilbert Arenas in 28 minutes of play finished the game with 13 pts (5-11), 5 rebounds and 3 assists.

• Thornton scored an efficient 13 pts on 4-5 from the field and 5-5 from the foul line in 15 minutes of play, while adding 2 blocked shots.

• Andray Blatche chipped in with 7 defensive rebounds.

Concerns:

• Cavaliers were more successful scoring in the paint 42 points to the Wizards 34 points.

• The Wizards bigs gave up 14 rebounds to Cleveland Center Ryan Hollins.

• Andray Blatche seems to have forced up some shots as he finished with 13 pts but on 6-16 from the field.

• Hopefully this game will be a fluke, JaVale McGee and the team cannot afford him to get into foul trouble so quickly.

What other potential concerns did you pick up from this game?