Bullets Forever - Wizards vs. Celtics: Washington rolls over, falls in overtime "Ain't No Luck"https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48097/BulletsForever-fv.png2014-01-23T11:54:05-05:00http://www.bulletsforever.com/rss/stream/50989072014-01-23T11:54:05-05:002014-01-23T11:54:05-05:00The half-court offense is a train wreck
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/m0JytwuylX6Y8y0dak_pqtoFr98=/0x146:2717x1957/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/27316155/20140122_ajl_au3_305.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Wizards' half-court offense has struggled throughout the year, but in Wednesday night's defeat at the hands of the Boston Celtics, it fell to new lows. What exactly went wrong? </p> <p>Everything was in line for the Wizards to finally get over the hump and reach that plus-.500 plateau. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.celticsblog.com/">Boston Celtics</a> were without their starting backcourt of <span>Avery Bradley</span> and <span>Rajon Rondo</span>, on the tail end of a back-to-back and at home against what was thought to be a determined <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/">Washington Wizards</a> team.</p>
<p>After shipping both <span>Jordan Crawford</span> and MarShon Brooks to Golden State and losing <span>Jerryd Bayless</span> to a big toe injury, an undermanned Celtics squad relied on key contributions from <span>Phil Pressey</span> and Jeff Green. Pressey, an undrafted free agent out of Missouri, completely caught everyone off-guard as he dropped in a cool 20 points on 7-10 shooting. But more notably, he went 566 from deep after connecting on just six in the 39 games leading up to Wednesday.</p>
<p>"Every player in this league can play. They're in the NBA. And if you don't give them the respect, this is what happens," a furious <span>Randy Wittman</span> said following the loss.</p>
<p>
<link rel="stylesheet" href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/3608425/mustreads.css"></p>
<p>But it wasn't so much playing defense as it was executing offensively, according to Wittman. His team has repeatedly fallen behind in games when there's no reason to, and the coach thinks he knows why.</p>
<p>"Nobody would pass the ball," he said. "They dribbled the ball all over the place, and then when they did pass it, it was to a guy with two seconds left on the shot clock."</p>
<p>But how many times have we heard these exact sentiments from the coach following losses similar to this one? No matter the outcome or the events leading up to the final buzzer, the answers rarely waver. It's as if he's had a pre-written script running through his head following each tortuous defeat. Does it really have merit?</p>
<p>The Wizards are not a team that isolates its players often. They had 10 such plays against the Celtics on Wednesday, one of which resulted in a turnover, three that earned John Wall trips to the charity stripe and six that resulted in shot attempts. This is a team built on <span>John Wall's</span> dribble penetration; it's the reason why he's second in the association in touches per game and fifth in points created by assists, <a href="http://stats.nba.com/playerTrackingPassing.html?pageNo=1&rowsPerPage=25&sortField=AST_TOT&sortOrder=DES">per the new SportsVU tracking data</a>. It goes without saying that when shooters aren't making their shots, the offense sputters.</p>
<p>And that's exactly what occurred in the first half of Wednesday's meltdown. As a team, the Wizards shot just 37 percent from the floor. They missed shots they would normally make, failed to make the most out of their transition opportunities, and most of all, got the majority of their looks out of the flow of the offense.</p>
<p><a href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/3900143/ariza_3.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Ariza_3" class="photo" src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/3900143/ariza_3.jpg"></a></p>
<p><a href="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/assets/3900151/beal_miss.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Beal_miss" class="photo" src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/assets/3900151/beal_miss.jpg"></a></p>
<p><a href="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/assets/3900167/beal_miss_2.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Beal_miss_2" class="photo" src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/assets/3900167/beal_miss_2.jpg"></a> <br id="1390459134691"></p>
<p>Some nights, it can be as simple as "not making your shots." Maybe that was the case here to some degree.</p>
<p>But it's also about the kind of looks being generated. These are all jumpers, not layups. There's no reason to believe, after two years under the same offense that fails to generate shots at the basket, that the Wizards could have garnered better looks on the floor. From the coaching staff on down to the players, they have not merited that benefit of the doubt.</p>
<p>The worst of our fears regarding Wittman's long-two centric offense came to fruition last night. Wall had no business taking the amount of jumpers he did, and he admitted it afterwards.</p>
<p>"Twenty-nine shots is way too many for me as a point guard" Wall said. "I feel like they were good shots and easy shots, but just too many to not get my teammates a chance to get in a rhythm and give those guys a chance to make plays."</p>
<p>Yes, that is too many shots. Yes, many of them did come early in the shot clock, which may have been the source of Wittman's frustrations over the lack of ball movement. But how is that any different from <a href="http://www.bulletsforever.com/2014/1/15/5312568/bradley-beal-says-hes-encouraged-to-take-long-jumpers">Bradley Beal supposedly being encouraged to take the exact same shots?</a> Hasn't this coaching staff preached to Wall the importance of being able to hit the pull-up jumper? Those instructions will lead to attempts like this:</p>
<p><a href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/3900199/Wall_miss.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Wall_miss" class="photo" src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/assets/3900199/Wall_miss.jpg"></a></p>
<p>Here, Wall comes off a drag screen in semi-transition and see's daylight. He knows he'll have enough room to take a step or two in the arc before firing away. It's early in the clock, and Wall could have probed his way into the middle of the lane to buy Beal enough time to sneak behind Nene and into the corner. But alas, that long-two is taken.</p>
<p>Again, these are looks the Wizards have seen all year long, and Wall admitted as much.</p>
<p>"I think it was the same shots I took in other games," he said. "I just missed a couple of easy ones.<span>"</span></p>
<p>At some point, it's on the coaching staff. If these shots are bad ones, as Wittman surmised after this game, why have Wall and Beal taken them all year?</p>
<p>That's why the selfishness critique rings hollow. One or both of these things happened instead:</p>
<ol>
<li>The Wizards moved the ball, but missed open long jumpers.</li>
<li>They often settled for semi-open jumpers, which has been encouraged all year even though it might run counter to moving the ball.</li>
</ol>
<p>It's all a shame. After all these trades with the playoffs in mind, and one of the best floor generals in the league today, we're sitting here discussing an offense barely treading water against a league-average defense at best. Either selfishness isn't the problem or the coach hasn't gotten his message through to the players. Neither reflects well on Wittman.</p>
<p><i>Quotes via Amin.</i></p>
<p>
<link href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/3604021/nextclicks.css" rel="stylesheet"></p>
https://www.bulletsforever.com/2014/1/23/5337286/washington-wizards-boston-celtics-offense-breakdownUmair Khan2014-01-23T11:47:49-05:002014-01-23T11:47:49-05:00Magical Pixels: At a loss? So is Randy Wittman.
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/nYPK2WqOfQ0I-Va7eqLqGS0qcPw=/0x120:4000x2787/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/27334973/20140122_ajl_au3_097.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>They Wizards botched another (<em>ANOTHER!!</em>) chance at a winning record against the Celtics. Is Washington just building up to the most elaborate April Fools trick ever or something?</p> <p>Alright, seriously, what's going on? They have got to be messing with us, right? Right??</p>
<p>Yeesh, what a way to reach the halfway mark of the season, eh? The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/">Washington Wizards</a> laid a stinker at home Wednesday, losing 113-111 to a <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.celticsblog.com/">Boston Celtics</a> team missing <span>Avery Bradley</span> and resting <span>Rajon Rondo</span>, blowing their fourth chance at eclipsing .500 this season. <span>John Wall</span> notched his second career triple-double, but he also had six turnovers and missed 20 shots, so whatever. <span>Randy Wittman</span> said after the game he was "at a loss." Welcome to the club, coach. Ugh.</p>
<p>Now at 20-21. the Wizards face a four-game West Coast swing that includes stops against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/">Warriors</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Clippers</a>, before they come home to face the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Thunder</a>, Trailblazers and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/">Spurs</a> in consecutive games.</p>
<p>But first up are the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/">Suns</a> on Friday night. I mean, how good could the Suns be anyway?...<a href="http://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2014/1/22/5336976/final-score-phoenix-suns-elevate-and-detonate-on-indiana-pacers-124" target="_blank">oh god</a>.</p>
<h4>KEY LINKS</h4>
<p><b>Home team recaps: </b><a href="http://www.bulletsforever.com/2014/1/22/5334866/washington-wizards-boston-celtics-january-2014-over-500" target="_blank">BF StoryStream</a> | <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/wizards/celtics-113-wizards-111-jeff-green-scores-39-to-send-washington-once-again-below-500/2014/01/22/c0827c22-83b5-11e3-8099-9181471f7aaf_story.html" target="_blank">Washington Post</a> | <a href="http://washingtontimes.csnwashington.com/news/2014/jan/23/celtics-snap-10-game-road-skid-once-again-keep-wiz/" target="_blank">AP</a> | CSN Washington (<a href="http://www.csnwashington.com/basketball-washington-wizards/talk/instant-analysis-celtics-113-wizards-111-ot" target="_blank">recap</a>, <a href="http://www.csnwashington.com/basketball-washington-wizards/talk/wake-call-every-1-step-forward-2-steps-back" target="_blank">sidebar</a>) | <a href="http://www.truthaboutit.net/2014/01/wizards-celtics-randy-wittman-cannot-screw-with-basketball-gods-brandon-bass-conference-finals.html" target="_blank">Truth About It</a> | <a href="http://wizofawes.com/2014/01/22/recap-wizards-fall-in-overtime-celtics/" target="_blank">Wiz of Awes</a> | <a href="http://districtsportspage.com/washington-wizards-game-41-recap-wiz-fall-short-against-short-staffed-celtics/21470" target="_blank">District Sports Page</a> | <a href="http://www.nba.com/wizards/game-recap-wizards-111-celtics-114" target="_blank">Wizards.com</a> | <a href="http://washingtonwizardsblog.monumentalnetwork.com/2014/01/22/wizards-close-out-homestand-with-celtics" target="_blank">Monumental Network</a></p>
<p><b>Road team recaps:</b> <a href="http://www.celticsblog.com/2014/1/22/5336358/green-runs-deep-full-court-pressey-celts-win-in-ot" target="_blank">CelticsBlog</a> | <a href="http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2014/01/22/jeff-green-scores-points-celtics-use-long-ball-beat-wizards-overtime/lDAZ4rQYmXNgg2HuzhoL0I/story.html" target="_blank">Boston Globe</a> | Boston Herald (<a href="http://bostonherald.com/sports/celtics_nba/boston_celtics/2014/01/celtics_beat_wizards_in_ot" target="_blank">gamer</a>, <a href="http://bostonherald.com/sports/celtics_nba/boston_celtics/2014/01/celtics_notebook_in_name_of_caution_rajon_rondo_sits" target="_blank">sidebar</a>) | <a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/celtics/post/_/id/4710358/are-you-not-entertained" target="_blank">ESPN Boston</a> | <a href="http://www.masslive.com/celtics/index.ssf/2014/01/jeff_green_boston_celtics_wash.html" target="_blank">MassLive</a> | CSN New England (<a href="http://www.csnne.com/boston-celtics/depleted-cs-beat-wizards-113-111-ot" target="_blank">recap</a>, <a href="http://www.csnne.com/boston-celtics/good-bad-ugly-green-his-best" target="_blank">sidebar</a>) | <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnesn.com%2F2014%2F01%2Fceltics-wizards-live-shorthanded-celts-look-for-victory-in-nations-capital%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bulletsforever.com%2F2014%2F1%2F23%2F5337886%2Fmagical-pixels-wizards-vs-celtics-at-a-loss-so-is-randy-wittman" target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener">NESN</a> | <a href="http://greenstreet.weei.com/sports/boston/basketball/celtics/2014/01/22/jeff-greens-39-points-lead-shorthanded-celtics-past-wizards-on-the-road-113-111/" target="_blank">Green Street</a> | <a href="http://hardwoodhoudini.com/2014/01/22/jeff-greens-propels-short-handed-boston-celtics-victory-washington/" target="_blank">Hardwood Houdini</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.nba.com/wizards/video/games/wizards/2014/01/22/0021300625-bos-was-recap.nba/" target="_blank">Game highlights</a></p>
<p><b>Postgame interviews: </b><a href="http://www.monumentalnetwork.com/videos/john-wall-postgame-1-22-14" target="_blank">John Wall</a> | <a href="http://www.monumentalnetwork.com/videos/bradley-beal-postgame-1-22-14" target="_blank">Bradley Beal</a> | <a href="http://www.monumentalnetwork.com/videos/nene-postgame-1-22-14" target="_blank">Nene</a> | <a href="http://www.monumentalnetwork.com/videos/marcin-gortat-postgame-1-22-14" target="_blank">Marcin Gortat</a> | <a href="http://www.monumentalnetwork.com/videos/trevor-ariza-postgame-1-22-14" target="_blank">Trevor Ariza</a></p>
<h4>KEY STATS</h4>
<p><b>31</b> - The percentage of Washington's shots against Boston attempted by John Wall, who made nine of his 29 shot attempts.</p>
<p><b>58</b> - Combined shooting percentage of <span>Jeff Green</span> and <span>Phil Pressey</span> against the Wizards. Green and Pressey combined to score 59 points on 21-of-36 shooting (13-of-22 from three).</p>
<h4>TWEETS OF THE NIGHT</h4>
<p> </p>
<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>In DC, we call that a Gin Rickey. RT <a href="https://twitter.com/HPbasketball">@HPbasketball</a>: Amazing combination of apathy and a lack of execution by Washington right now.</p>
— Bullets Forever (@BulletsForever) <a href="https://twitter.com/BulletsForever/statuses/426157206963105792">January 23, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>Sums things up so far <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Ernie&src=hash">#Ernie</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Wizards&src=hash">#Wizards</a> <a href="http://t.co/MACTPmNA1Z">pic.twitter.com/MACTPmNA1Z</a></p>
— <span>Kevin Jones</span> (@Mr_KevinJones) <a href="https://twitter.com/Mr_KevinJones/statuses/426155046326513664">January 23, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>Appropriate. <a href="http://t.co/JYBnqzweUw">pic.twitter.com/JYBnqzweUw</a></p>
— Mike Prada (@MikePradaSBN) <a href="https://twitter.com/MikePradaSBN/statuses/426160675065307137">January 23, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>Nene has a nice 2 seamer working tonight. Getting good movement on his pitches.</p>
— danny rouhier (@funnydanny) <a href="https://twitter.com/funnydanny/statuses/426180141342285827">January 23, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<h4>VIDEO/GIF OF THE NIGHT</h4>
<p><img src="http://i.minus.com/iz9TxmCBTKZde.gif"></p>
<p>H/T <a href="https://twitter.com/Wiz_Spurtin" target="_blank">@Wiz_Spurtin</a></p>
<h4>GAMETHREAD COMMENT OF THE NIGHT</h4>
<p><img src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3900899/GT_comment.png"></p>
<h4>GAMETHREAD ROLLCALL</h4>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="1">
<thead><tr>
<th width="20">#</th> <th>Commenter</th> <th># Comments</th>
</tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Wall_Hopeful">Wall_Hopeful</a></td>
<td>145</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>2</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/wad0cash">wad0cash</a></td>
<td>86</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Manimal%20Smith">Manimal Smith</a></td>
<td>80</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>4</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/elliotlevy2">elliotlevy2</a></td>
<td>71</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>5</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/BealMVP4ever">BealMVP4ever</a></td>
<td>66</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>6</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/hands11%40yahoo.com">hands11@yahoo.com</a></td>
<td>61</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>7</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/DCeee">DCeee</a></td>
<td>59</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>8</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/souldrummer">souldrummer</a></td>
<td>52</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>9</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Banode">Banode</a></td>
<td>48</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>10</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/KurisuDevil">KurisuDevil</a></td>
<td>48</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>11</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Durant">Durant</a></td>
<td>46</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>12</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Krobify">Krobify</a></td>
<td>45</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>13</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Yeti60">Yeti60</a></td>
<td>41</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>14</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Rice2012">Rice2012</a></td>
<td>39</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>15</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/qthaballa">qthaballa</a></td>
<td>39</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>16</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/little%20stevie%20colter">little stevie colter</a></td>
<td>37</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>17</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/imperialme">imperialme</a></td>
<td>33</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>18</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/LRJ">LRJ</a></td>
<td>32</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>19</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Baird15">Baird15</a></td>
<td>31</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>20</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Perm">Perm</a></td>
<td>31</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>21</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/BackScreenLob">BackScreenLob</a></td>
<td>26</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>22</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/gregjohnson1229">gregjohnson1229</a></td>
<td>24</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>23</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/17squall">17squall</a></td>
<td>21</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>24</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/knight13951">knight13951</a></td>
<td>21</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>25</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/DCKRS">DCKRS</a></td>
<td>21</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>26</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/LeHalfrican">LeHalfrican</a></td>
<td>19</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>27</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/henrylau11">henrylau11</a></td>
<td>17</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>28</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Izzy.Bae">Izzy.Bae</a></td>
<td>16</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>29</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/WizKid27">WizKid27</a></td>
<td>14</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>30</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/pplchamp">pplchamp</a></td>
<td>14</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>31</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/dc_chilling">dc_chilling</a></td>
<td>14</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>32</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Singhgidda">Singhgidda</a></td>
<td>12</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>33</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Asdesas">Asdesas</a></td>
<td>12</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>34</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/denny%20from%20yates">denny from yates</a></td>
<td>11</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>35</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/SladeKillah">SladeKillah</a></td>
<td>11</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>36</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Moonwalk%20Jenkins">Moonwalk Jenkins</a></td>
<td>10</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>37</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Chillinois">Chillinois</a></td>
<td>8</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>38</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/p.robb87">p.robb87</a></td>
<td>7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>39</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/the%20new%20Bradfather">the new Bradfather</a></td>
<td>7</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>40</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Nickdoggmoneycash">Nickdoggmoneycash</a></td>
<td>7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>41</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/wiznation2-3-22">wiznation2-3-22</a></td>
<td>7</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>42</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/segrt12">segrt12</a></td>
<td>7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>43</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/DeadheadSkins">DeadheadSkins</a></td>
<td>7</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>44</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/DCrez">DCrez</a></td>
<td>7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>45</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Rook6980">Rook6980</a></td>
<td>6</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>46</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Craig_">Craig_</a></td>
<td>6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>47</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Born%20of%20Osiris">Born of Osiris</a></td>
<td>6</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>48</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Finnarious">Finnarious</a></td>
<td>6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>49</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/WindyRindy">WindyRindy</a></td>
<td>6</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>50</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/b3nz">b3nz</a></td>
<td>5</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>51</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/sierradave">sierradave</a></td>
<td>5</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>52</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/arian1123">arian1123</a></td>
<td>5</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>53</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/richkam14">richkam14</a></td>
<td>4</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>54</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/swaggyP">swaggyP</a></td>
<td>4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>55</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Big%20Purp">Big Purp</a></td>
<td>4</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>56</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Bryan1976">Bryan1976</a></td>
<td>3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>57</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/returnofswagger">returnofswagger</a></td>
<td>3</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>58</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/MrMCICenter">MrMCICenter</a></td>
<td>3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>59</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/neualex308">neualex308</a></td>
<td>3</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>60</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/tw10">tw10</a></td>
<td>3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>61</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/BayAreaBullet">BayAreaBullet</a></td>
<td>2</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>62</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/The%20Hoops%20Guru">The Hoops Guru</a></td>
<td>2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>63</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/WinstonCharles">WinstonCharles</a></td>
<td>2</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>64</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Jordo">Jordo</a></td>
<td>2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>65</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/nesby8">nesby8</a></td>
<td>2</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>66</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/ywlee22">ywlee22</a></td>
<td>2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>67</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/John%20Wall%20Stan">John Wall Stan</a></td>
<td>2</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>68</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/t0Shihiro">t0Shihiro</a></td>
<td>2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>69</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/KINGWIZ86">KINGWIZ86</a></td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>70</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Jaba">Jaba</a></td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>71</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/HSLex">HSLex</a></td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>72</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Alpha_Snail">Alpha_Snail</a></td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>73</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/ATrueNigerian">ATrueNigerian</a></td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>74</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/dave21110">dave21110</a></td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>75</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/redskinz_lover">redskinz_lover</a></td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>76</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/NewCavsfan">NewCavsfan</a></td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>77</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/oakhillsteeze">oakhillsteeze</a></td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>78</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/spanishfalcon">spanishfalcon</a></td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>79</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Dan%20the%20Bullets%20Fan">Dan the Bullets Fan</a></td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>80</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/ExtraSpecialBitter">ExtraSpecialBitter</a></td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>81</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/PAClark11">PAClark11</a></td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>82</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Amin%20Vafa">Amin Vafa</a></td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>83</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Big%20Spoon">Big Spoon</a></td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>84</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/KeithJH2">KeithJH2</a></td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>85</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Gators2015_BB3">Gators2015_BB3</a></td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>86</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/_Chris">_Chris</a></td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>87</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Endless%20Paradise">Endless Paradise</a></td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>
<link rel="stylesheet" href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/3604021/nextclicks.css"></p>
https://www.bulletsforever.com/2014/1/23/5337886/magical-pixels-wizards-vs-celtics-at-a-loss-so-is-randy-wittmanJeff Newman2014-01-22T22:09:46-05:002014-01-22T22:09:46-05:00Wizards upset by lowly Celtics, back below .500
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Knu32mbnUR5mVQEcHn4317nWW90=/0x119:4000x2786/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/27307613/20140122_ajl_au3_100.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Washington dug themselves in an early hole, seeing its deficit amount to 19 points before making another desperation comeback in the second half. Despite sending the game into overtime and a John Wall triple double, the Wizards came up short and fall under .500 once again this season. </p> <p>Prior to tonight's game, <a href="http://www.csnwashington.com/basketball-washington-wizards/talk/pregame-warmup-gortat-adamant-about-winning">Marcin Gortat told CSN's J Michael</a> how he feels embarrassed when teams like Philly and Milwaukee punk them in their own building. How does he feel now?</p>
<p><span>That same issue came up tonight. The </span><a style="background-color: #ffffff; font-size: 12px;" href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Wizards</a><span> dug themselves an early hole, falling to as many 19 points against a shorthanded, bad Celtics team before making a surge in the second half. Unfortunately, </span><span>John Wall's</span><span> triple double was negated by a 39-point effort from </span><span>Jeff Green</span><span> and a 20-point effort from </span><span>Phil Pressey</span><span>, and the Wizards fell, 113-111, when Gerald Wallace -- GERALD WALLACE -- went coast to coast for the go-ahead layup in overtime.</span></p>
<p>It's come to the point where we, as fans, expect players like Phil Pressey to give us problems. We expect the Wizards to come out flat despite this being an obviously crucial win before a challenging west-coast trip. And the sad thing is, the players know it and discuss it time and time again ... yet it still happens.</p>
<p>The first half started exactly as you'd expect against a depleted team that has absolutely no business winning this game. The Wizards came out lethargic offensely and with very little effort on defense. Boston ended up shooting over 57 percent from the floor while making five threes. Yes, a team that started Wallace at shooting guard made five three-pointers in the first quarter, all of which came on open looks.</p>
<p>Between Wall's reckless drives to the basket that yielded entirely too many missed shots and momentum-killing turnovers, the Wizards offense was in ruins. In what's become a trend this season, the shooters just couldn't find the bottom of the net, and whenever that's the case, the offense goes into complete disarray. Suddenly, those passing lanes never opened up for Wall and Nene, the floor shrunk and it was a bunch of one-and-done possessions.</p>
<p>But this was still the 14-29 <a href="https://www.celticsblog.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Boston Celtics</a> and they were bound to regress to the mean soon enough. The Wizards' offense showed signs of life, most notably <span>Trevor Ariza</span>, who poured in two threes in consecutive possessions. And interestingly enough, it was <span>Bradley Beal</span> who assumed more ball handling duties and showcased some great probing to get into the middle of the lane. He found Ariza in the corner for a spot-up three on one drive, and followed it up with a hockey assist on the next. Eventually, the Wizards tied the game on a four-point play from Webster.</p>
<p><span>But opportunities to pull away were constantly squandered. An easy layup by Wall on a fast break instead turned into a jump ball with Pressey. </span><a href="https://vine.co/v/MB13vLpPxb9">Green hit this shot, tying the game</a><span>. Then, with the score tied up at 99 and under 30 seconds left, the Wizards got a stop and had </span><span>Beal and Wall leak out on the break. But instead of attacking and preserving a 2 for 1, the Wizards elected to take a timeout. Two Nene bricks followed, and we had overtime.</span></p>
<p>It was more back and forth action in the overtime. Green continued to toast defenders for going under screens, hitting on a huge three pointer midway through the period. Webster answered the call, hitting on a three of their own, but with 20 seconds left in the period, the Wizards picked up a loose ball and were in an all too familiar situation. Wall and Gortat were in prime position to push the ball in transition, but elect to reset the offense and use up the clock. Eventually, Wall drove into the teeth of the defense, dumped it off to Gortat, who got fouled. However, Gortat split the pair, keeping the score tied.</p>
<p>That led to Wallace's layup, which was too easy. It was just enough to seal the victory after a desperation heave from Wall in the waning seconds falls short.</p>
<p>Wall had probably the strangest triple-doubles you'll likely ever see, as he also had a ton of a missed shots and turnovers. It never really seemed like he had any control over the offense, and he was strategically baited into long-twos. In the end, the Wizards never had control of the game, and that cost them.</p>
<p>Here are my game notes:</p>
<ul>
<li><span>Wall always seems to have lapses in effort when getting back on defense. He always seems to give up open looks because he's always looking to play the passing lanes. It begs the question of whether Wittman should deploy him more to pressure the ball handler the length of the floor. Not saying this should be on a consistent basis, but something has to change in that regard.</span></li>
<li><span>This was the second straight game in which the Wizards' wings took careless approaches to guarding players coming off screens. They went under screens when they weren't supposed to, rarely fought over and switched entirely too much against a team with versatility at almost every position.</span></li>
<li><span>This was a really poor matchup for Gortat tonight against Jared Sullinger. He's always had trouble defending in space, and against a stretch-4 like Sully, had no chance. But he was clearly in control of the glass all night long, so I wouldn't call it a complete disaster.</span></li>
<li><span>Love seeing Wall attack the basket off a Nene post-up around the 4:30 mark of the fourth. Looked like he was spotting up for three once Nene got doubled, but quickly cut to the basket before Pressey could even make the closeout. There's no stopping him once he has a full head of steam in the half-court like that. </span></li>
<li><span>Really disliked the late-game execution (shocking, I know). The Wizards had a golden opportunity to go for a two-for-one, and what better way to get a quick bucket than Wall and Beal out on the secondary break? Instead they settled for a Nene pick and pop out of the timeout. Then, after Jeff Green misses from 30-feet, Wittman stayed with his big lineup, using both Nene and Gortat on the play, and it results in Beal being used as a decoy while Nene flashed to the top of the key for another jumper that bricked.</span></li>
</ul>
https://www.bulletsforever.com/2014/1/22/5336312/wizards-celtics-score-final-nba-john-wallUmair Khan2014-01-22T18:59:59-05:002014-01-22T18:59:59-05:00Trevor Booker is in<h3 class="link-title"><a rel="nofollow" href="/rss/stream/5098907">Trevor Booker is&nbsp;in</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p></p></div>
https://www.bulletsforever.com/2014/1/22/5336216/trevor-booker-is-inMike Prada2014-01-22T18:30:03-05:002014-01-22T18:30:03-05:00Your Wizards-Celtics game thread
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/j_FUwGG1R0glWPXqeHipq9HK_ig=/0x170:4000x2837/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/27280533/20140121_ads_bm1_202.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Discuss tonight's game here.</p> <table align="center" border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="5"><tbody> <tr><th colspan="3" style="text-align: center;" align="center" bgcolor="silver">2013-14 NBA Regular Season</th></tr> <tr> <td width="240"><center style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i.cdn.turner.com/nba/nba/media/celtics/CelticsLogo_History.gif" height="72" width="80"></center></td> <th style="text-align: center;" align="center" width="20">vs</th> <td width="240"><center style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://www.underconsideration.com/brandnew/archives/wizards_alt_logo_hand.gif" height="72" width="80"></center></td> </tr> <tr><td colspan="3" style="text-align: center;" align="center" bgcolor="silver"><strong>January 22, 2014</strong></td></tr> <tr><td colspan="3" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><strong>Verizon Center</strong></td></tr> <tr><td colspan="3" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><strong>7 p.m.</strong></td></tr> <tr><td colspan="3" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><strong>CSN, 106.7 The Fan</strong></td></tr> <tr><th colspan="3" style="text-align: center;" align="center" bgcolor="silver"><strong>Projected Starting Lineups</strong></th></tr> <tr> <td style="text-align: center;" align="right" width="240"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Phil Pressey</span> </span></td> <th style="text-align: center;" align="center" width="20">PG</th> <td style="text-align: center;" width="240"><span>John Wall</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align: center;" align="right" width="240"> <span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Vander Blue</span></span><span></span> </td> <th style="text-align: center;" align="center" width="20">SG</th> <td style="text-align: center;" width="240"><span>Bradley Beal</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align: center;" align="right" width="240"> <span class="sbn-auto-link">Jeff Green</span><span></span> </td> <th style="text-align: center;" align="center" width="20">SF</th> <td style="text-align: center;" width="240"><span>Trevor Ariza</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align: center;" align="right" width="240"><span>Jared Sullinger</span></td> <th style="text-align: center;" align="center" width="20">PF</th> <td style="text-align: center;" width="240"><span>Nene</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align: center;" align="right" width="240"><span>Kris Humphries</span></td> <th style="text-align: center;" align="center" width="20">C</th> <td style="text-align: center;" width="240"><span>Marcin Gortat</span></td> </tr> <tr><th colspan="3" style="text-align: center;" align="center" bgcolor="silver"><strong>2013-14 Advanced Stats</strong></th></tr> <tr> <td style="text-align: center;" align="right" width="240">93.3 (18th)<br> </td> <th style="text-align: center;" align="center" width="20">Pace</th> <td style="text-align: center;" width="240"><span>93.2 (19th)</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align: center;" align="right" width="240">101.8 (24th)<br> </td> <th style="text-align: center;" align="center" width="20">ORtg</th> <td style="text-align: center;" width="240"><span>104.0 (21st)</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align: center;" align="right" width="240">105.7 (14th)<br> </td> <th style="text-align: center;" align="center" width="20">DRtg</th> <td style="text-align: center;" width="240"><span>104.7 (10th)</span></td> </tr> <tr><th colspan="3" style="text-align: center;" bgcolor="silver" height="20">Also see: <a href="http://www.celticsblog.com/">CelticsBlog</a> | <a href="http://www.bulletsforever.com/2014/1/22/5334746/washington-wizards-boston-celtics-january-2014-preview-over-500/in/5098907">Preview</a> </th></tr> </tbody></table>
<p> </p>
<p>No GRJR or <span>Al Harrington</span> tonight. And Trevor Booker is a game-time decision, but I doubt he plays. Expect some more Jan Vesely-Kevin Seraphin tag-team off the bench tonight!</p>
<p>Also, no <span>Avery Bradley</span>, <span>Rajon Rondo</span>, or <span>Jerryd Bayless</span> for Boston. But we get to see some limited-minutes Rajon Rondo! Anytime you get to see two All-Star point guards square off against one another, it's guaranteed to be fun.</p>
<p>GO WIZARDS!</p>
https://www.bulletsforever.com/2014/1/22/5334964/wizards-vs-celtics-game-time-tv-schedule-and-open-threadAmin Vafa2014-01-22T16:21:17-05:002014-01-22T16:21:17-05:00Rondo's out tonight.<h3 class="link-title"><a rel="nofollow" href="/rss/stream/5098907">Rondo's out&nbsp;tonight.</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p><p>Baxter Holmes, the Celtics' beat writer for the Boston Globe, reports that Rondo's out tonight. He <a href="https://twitter.com/BaxterHolmes/status/426101084655214592">goes on to say</a> "Rondo is sitting only because it's the second game of a back-to-back" No Rondo tonight either, eh? .500 just got a lot more tangible. #FingersCrossed</p></p></div>
https://www.bulletsforever.com/2014/1/22/5335672/rondos-out-tonightAmin Vafa2014-01-22T12:34:21-05:002014-01-22T12:34:21-05:00Celtics @ Wizards: Over-the-hump day?
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ASMKxYfp9KYpbxuLgtNCC0XbZFw=/150x0:2922x1848/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/27277045/20140120_mta_au5_258.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>It's Wednesday (HUMP DAAAAAY), and here we are again, staring .500+ in the face. CAN WE DO IT??</p> <p>You know which narrative isn't going to go away until they break that barrier? THE NEVER-ENDING QUEST TO WIN MORE GAMES THAN YOU LOSE. It's basically the same reason they had the Crusades like a thousand years ago. Except everyone lost. And it was nothing like the Crusades. Maybe I'm thinking of Monty Python and the Holy Grail. No, wait. That's definitely it.</p>
<p>Oh, right. The game. Well, your boys in red, white, and blue will face off against the once-great-probably-will-be-great-pretty-soon boys in green, better known as the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.celticsblog.com/">Boston Celtics</a>.</p>
<p><b>Where and when?</b> Tip off is at 7 p.m. at the Verizon Center. It's cold, so bundle up! Also, if you're driving to the game or walking to the arena from the metro, watch out for slippery slushiness on the roads and sidewalks. I was downtown earlier today, and there's still plenty of snow/slush everywhere.</p>
<p><b>Are they good? </b>Let's consider a few things: Ray Allen's been gone for two seasons, Rajon Rondo's been out for most of this season with injury (he's back, and on a minutes restriction), they traded <span>Kevin Garnett</span> and <span>Paul Pierce</span> to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.netsdaily.com/">Nets</a>, they just traded <span>Jordan Crawford</span> (STEEEEEEZ) to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/">Warriors</a>, and <span>Doc Rivers</span> is living it up with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Clippers</a>. So, they should be pretty bad. But Brad Stevens has this team performing at a weirdly-competent level for being so depleted. So they're not "good," but they can certainly knock you out if you take them too lightly.</p>
<p><b>Who's out? </b>Avery Bradley's not playing tonight for Boston (ankle), and <span>Jerryd Bayless</span> is out as well (toe). <span>Keith Bogans</span> is out indefinitely for personal reasons. For the Wiz, GRJR is on his rehab stint in the D-League, and <span>Al Harrington</span> is still not that close to returning. Also, <span>Trevor Booker</span> didn't practice yesterday, <a href="https://twitter.com/MrMichaelLee/status/425687962093776896">and he'll be a game-time decision.</a></p>
<p><b>What are they good at? </b>D-FENCE. CLAP CLAP. D-FENCE. CLAP CLAP. (I spelled it like a picket fence to give you the visual of someone holding up a giant letter D and a picture of a fence. Did it work?) Well, they're 14th in league in defensive efficiency, so they're above average. Not good enough to win more than 14 games so far this season, but we can admire their effort.--especially since the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/">Wizards</a> won 29 games last year and were top-10 in defensive efficiency for most of the year. GAME RESPECT GAME.</p>
<p><b>What are they bad at? </b>Scoring. Also, they are bad at steez. To be fair, so are the Wizards, since we both traded away the steeziest man in the league.</p>
<p><b>Who's going to win?</b> I'd like to say the Wizards, but with the way they almost let Philly steal one from them on Monday, plus their mental block about getting over .500, I could see this going either way. Then again, the Wizards are favored to win tonight by several possessions, so I think I'll still root-rootroot for the home team.</p>
<p>By the way, does anyone know if two <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVwBseJD9II">African swallows can carry a coconut between them on a string</a>?</p>
https://www.bulletsforever.com/2014/1/22/5334746/washington-wizards-boston-celtics-january-2014-preview-over-500Amin Vafa