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**remy23** · 04-18-2008, 07:45 AM

Game #1

VS

Washington Wizards (0-0) @ Cleveland Cavaliers (0-0)

Saturday, April 19, 2008
Time: 9:30am PT, 12:30pm ET
TV: ESPN
Radio: WTAM 1100
Location: Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, Ohio

HEAD COACHES

ESPN's Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Washington Wizards Page | Yahoo's Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Washington Wizards Page

Wizards close to full strength for playoff series vs. Cavs

Quote:

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Washington Wizards, who lost 225 man-games due to injuries this season, had a full contingent on the floor Thursday for their first practice in preparation for the opening-round playoff series against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Those taking part included Caron Butler, who sat out the final three games of the regular season with a bruised right knee, DeShawn Stevenson, who has been bothered by a sore back, and Gilbert Arenas, who has been coming off the bench since returning from knee surgery.

Coach Eddie Jordan said only Arenas will be limited for Game 1 in Cleveland on Saturday.

“We want to get him off the bench, look at 25 minutes, hopefully it grows to 28 minutes, maybe 30 minutes if he feels good,” Jordan said. “He’ll be a catalyst for us off the bench.”

Butler, who missed the playoff series last year against the Cavaliers with a hand injury, said he is “banged up a little bit everywhere” but isn’t going to let his aches and pains keep him off the court this time.

“When I was injured last year, I was still trying to get out on the court,” said Butler, who averaged a team-high 18.7 points against the Cavaliers this season. “I healed up about two weeks too late and now it’s an opportunity to play a little banged up. At the same time, my teammates need me and I know we can get the job done with me out there.”

Stevenson has engaged recently in some long-distance trash-talking with Cleveland star LeBron James, which began when Stevenson called the Cavaliers “overrated.” Stevenson knows his words will make him a marked man throughout the series.

“Hopefully I am. I should be,” Stevenson said. “We’ve got to win the series. I feel that it’s our time and somebody has to step up.”

Asked how will get his body and mind ready for Saturday, Stevenson said: “Just put on highlights of LeBron.”

Coach Mike Brown gave the Cavaliers the day off Thursday.

No quarters asked and none given. Take no prisoners - go for the kill. The time's come for LeBron James and Cleveland to rain down over the Wizards like the plague. Fans have been asking for quite some time, to see crisper, more disciplined and defined rotations. And it always boils down to one kid from Akron taking his team further than people expected.

In various forums all around the web, the Cavaliers are the decided underdog. Once again, the popular opinion is not on Cleveland's side, pitting the Cleveland faithful against all others. I wouldn't have it any other way. Go Cavs!

**Pioneer10** · 04-18-2008, 07:19 PM

If Lebron healthy we win: he started looking better towards the end and now with all the rest and plus no back to backs we should be able to win this

**Benedict_Boozer** · 04-19-2008, 12:16 AM

MUST WIN GAME.

I won't be able to post during this game as I am out of town, but we HAVE to win this game. This game will set the tone for the series.

I don't think we need to win every home game to get the series, but I think we have to come up with this game for confidence and momentum. Lebron always starts off the playoffs with a monster game so if 2-3 other guys step up (Delonte & Z in particular) we have this game for sure.

Big defensive matchup will be on Butler.

hendrix2430 · 04-19-2008, 02:33 AM

no question, MUST WIN game indeed.

**DQ for 3** · 04-19-2008, 09:08 AM

Should be a very good game. This Wizards team is the best one you've faced in the past 3 years, so the Cavs better bring it. I really think it's going to come down to which team has guys step up - if LeBron doesn't get support, the Cavs are in deep doo-doo.

futuristxen · 04-19-2008, 09:32 AM

They just said Wally would be starting? That seems like a bad idea. Who is he going to guard? I hope not Butler!

hendrix2430 · 04-19-2008, 09:35 AM

I think he is, yes.

**Pioneer10** · 04-19-2008, 09:51 AM

Ben Wallace is useless

**remy23** · 04-19-2008, 09:52 AM

The Wizards have scored well in the paint thus far.

And I'm a little sick of all the "trash talk" coverage right now.

**Pioneer10** · 04-19-2008, 09:52 AM

Haywood is killin Z

**Pioneer10** · 04-19-2008, 09:55 AM

wtf is wally doing? shoot the better shot

futuristxen · 04-19-2008, 09:58 AM

Gibson needs to knock down his shots. He's been shooting poorly ever since that ankle injury. Lebron's doing a good job early of trying to get his teammates involved, but he will need to be more aggressive here to end the quarter to get some momentum going into the second half.

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