[Will637]

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Date: 11/2/07

Time: 8:00 pm

TV: CSN, ESPN

Projected Starters

Wizards Starting Lineup






(G. Arenas, D. Stevenson, C. Butler, A. Jamison, B. Haywood)

2007-08 Wizards Stats
Leading Scorer: Gilbert Arenas - 34.0 PPG
Leading Rebounder: Antawn Jamison - 16.0 RPG
Leading Assist Man: Gilbert Arenas - 3.0 APG

Points Per Game: 110
Field Goal Percentage: 36.4%
3-Point Field Goal Percentage: 71.1%
Rebounds Per Game: 56
Assists Per Game: 15

PG - Gilbert Arenas - PPG: 34, APG: 3, RPG: 8




SG - Deshawn Stevenson - PPG: 3, APG: 1, RPG: 1



SF - Caron Butler - PPG: 19, RPG: 11, APG: 0




PF - Antawn Jamison - PPG: 27, RPG: 16, APG: 3




C - Brendan Haywood - PPG: 10, RPG: 13, APG: 1



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Celtics Starting Lineup





(R. Rondo, R. Allen, P. Pierce, K. Garnett, K. Perkins)

2007-08 Pre-season Celtics Stats
Leading Scorer: Paul Pierce - 18.4 PPG
Leading Rebounder: Kevin Garnett - 10.6 RPG
Leading Assist Man: Paul Pierce - 4.2 APG

Points Per Game: 90.3
Field Goal Percentage: 45.3%
3-Point Field Goal Percentage: 29.0%
Rebounds Per Game: 40.3
Assists Per Game: 21.6

PG - Rajon Rondo - PPG: 6.7, APG: 4.1, RPG: 4.3




SG - Ray Allen - PPG: 16.7, RPG: 3.00, APG: 2.5




SF - Paul Pierce - PPG: 18.4 PPG, RPG: 5.2, APG: 4.2





PF - Kevin Garnett - PPG: 15.8, RPG: 10.6, APG: 3.8




C - Kendrick Perkins - PPG: 8.5, RPG: 4.5, APG: 2.0

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Keys to the Game



Make Free Throws, Especially When They Count - The frequent free-throw misses could not have been any more noticeable in the game against the Pacers. Most notable would happen to be where Caron missed 2 straight free-throws to tie the game with less than 20 seconds to go. Many other instances where Gilbert Arenas and Caron Butler, two of the Wizards' top free-throw shooters just happened to miss and the team ended up on 32-45 from the line.

Give some, to get some? - The Wizards showed weaknesses yet again with its front court depth, when it came to rebounding and limiting second chance points for the Pacers. Kevin Garnett will easily have a field day, if Jamison and Haywood who combined for 29 points on Wednesday, if they do not play extremely physical under the basket. With Kevin Garnett attracting attention, it will be hard to wander away from Ray Allen and that's where the defensive adjustments will be challenging.

Establish 3rd scorer and Bench Production - Caron Butler got off to a rocky start against the Pacers and his woes continued throughout the night with repeated missed free-throws. Deshawn Stevenson himself could not have been anymore quiet with 1-4 shooting for only 3 points. It's won't be too long until the defense will focus to stop Arenas and Jamison from scoring, so the Wizards need to make sure they have Stevenson or Butler step up as the 3rd man.

Night on the (down)Town - It's probably a godsend for Ray Allen to be facing the Washington Wizards on his team's home opener. The Wizards continued to show struggles on defending the perimeter, after giving up 13-29 3 pointers and letting open 3 go by to end the game. Rondo, Pierce and Allen need to know they can quickly hurt this team by establishing range in the perimeter.

Rebound and Make Some Sound- The Wizards' frontcourt in Antawn Jamison and Brendan Haywood combined for 29 total rebounds against the Pacers and they both showed signs of what to expect as the season goes by. The Celtics have one of the toughest players the NBA has ever seen in KG and an emerging center in Kendrick Perkins. Expect the Wizards to get frustrated easily in keeping KG out of the paint and letting second chance points soar.

Can the Celtics Finish? - Gilbert 'The Hibachi' Arenas has already picked up where he left off last season with a game-tying 3 at the end of the 4th quarter and that is most likely where Eddie Jordan will go to in close situations. The Celtics? 3 guys more than capable of taking the last shot, but who will take it? Can he take it? It's been one of the hot topics when questioning the new Big 3 and it will be interesting on how that takes place during the 4th quarter.

[byrondarnell66]

Hope to see more of Blatche this game instead of Songaila. EJ also is goning to have to keep Arenas/Jamison/Butlers minutes down to 40 or below, hes going to burn them out before mid season, please give the bench a chance. Boston by 10

[fjkdsi]

I predict washington win and arenas scoring 40+

[f22egl]

I'm skeptical after that loss to the Pacers. I hope Rondo does not get into the lane at will against Arenas or it will be a long night on the defensive end. The Wizards should look to match up Blatche on KG as much as they can. I'm also looking for someone not in the big three to step up (Stevenson, Haywood, Nick Young).

[giordun]

Gilbert said that they were gonna beat the Celtics! I even gambled my virtual Facebook money on it.

[jazzy1]

Still in the 3rd quarter Wizards down 23.

My early takes.

Eddie Jordan should be fired. Its time, he refuses to use the bench McGuire and Young should have been in the rotation as well as Blatche but he keeps non defenders like jamison and Songailla on the floor.

Songaila btw sucks, no athleticism, no defense, just a passer and shooter in the offense and only when open can't make contested shots.

Big 3 basically forcing shots and not passing Wizards have only 7 assists in the game late into the 3rd quarter.

[byrondarnell66]

Not surprised they got blown out, its what I expected, that place was crazy last night. Im tired of Arenas and Jamisons jacking ways, give the damn ball up sometimes please, combined for 9-35 is ridiculous. How long will it be before EJ is fired, Songaila getting minutes over Blatche are you kidding me.