[MJG]

<table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr><td></td><td width="20"><center>@
</center>
</td><td></td></tr><tr><td><center>37 - 33</center></td><td width="20">
</td><td><center>30 - 40
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8:30 PM on CSN

Houston leads season series 1 - 0

<table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr><td></td><td><center>- Key Match: C -

</center><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td width="34">

4.5

</td><td width="50"><center>PPG</center></td><td width="34">22.1
</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">
</td></tr><tr><td width="34">

3.8

</td><td width="50"><center>RPG</center></td><td width="34">10.2
</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">
</td></tr><tr><td width="34">

0.2

</td><td width="50"><center>APG</center></td><td width="34">1.4
</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">
</td></tr><tr><td width="34">

0.3

</td><td width="50"><center>SPG</center></td><td width="34">0.5</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">
</td></tr><tr><td width="34">

0.9

</td><td width="50"><center>BPG</center></td><td width="34">1.7
</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">
</td></tr><tr><td width="34">

15.1

</td><td width="50"><center>MPG</center></td><td width="34">34.8</td></tr></tbody></table></td><td> </td></tr></tbody> </table>

[MJG]

Yea, not a lot of great matchups in this one. I'm curious to see whether or not Yao has a career game against us though, with Etan and Ruffin guarding him.

I said that we needed to win two games for me to be satisfied with the road trip, three games for me to be very happy. Well we're 3-1 already, and this is probably the least difficult game on the entire trip. Finishing up this stretch at 4-2 (or even 5-1) would be absolutely fantastic, a great way to lead up to the playoffs. Even the worst case, finishing 3-3, is still pretty darn good, all things considered.

[afireinside]

Yao has been tearing it up lately. I can't wait to watch him play against our weak frontcourt. He should tear them up with ease. But, if Arenas plays I think we still win even if Yao has a career game. Our team's moral is up and that's really all you need when you have the skill the Wizards have.

[Big Mike]

What was Taylor doing on the floor at the end of the game instead of Butler, was he sick or something. I don't even think Butler played in the 4th.

[dahockeyguy63]

wat are u talking about, butler had a horrible game, and taylor was playing very good. they kept him in because they started coming bak when he was in the game.

[Big Mike]

Butler was 3-6 shooting, 7 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assist and 1 steal in 26 mins yeah thats pretty horrible.

[dahockeyguy63]

usually he doeubles that, so for him, thats pretty horrible

[Big Mike]

How can you give your normal production when you're not given your normal minutes. He must be still feeling some effects from that elbow he caught the other night against Sacramento.

[dahockeyguy63]

that might be true, the main reason that they kept donell in was because that when caron was in, the wiz was down 15, but when donell came in they went on a run and got within 2. im sure caron will be bak to his normal self 2morrow

[Big Mike]

Originally Posted by dahockeyguy63

that might be true, the main reason that they kept donell in was because that when caron was in, the wiz was down 15, but when donell came in they went on a run and got within 2. im sure caron will be bak to his normal self 2morrow

And Taylor had a costly turnover in the last minute of the game. Instead of giving the ball to Arenas or Daniels he tries to create something that wasn't there and dribbled the ball out bounds wasting a crucial possesion, certianly a rookie mistake. It may not have been a possesion that caused the Wizards the game but it was still an important one anyways. In those situations i'd rather have experience on the floor instead of rookies who barely gets playing time.

[byrondarnell66]

Yao completely dominated this game, although he had a few turnovers at the end that helped the Wiz get back in the game.

[MJG]

Not a very good game all around. We actually let their starting backcourt, Head and Alston, score 39 points on 14-21 shooting. Yao's game was to be expected, especially without Haywood. There was a nice effort there at the end that gave us a shot of winning at the buzzer, but we never should have let ourselves be put in a position where that was necessary - even below average defense would've kept us closer throughout the night.