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BOBCATS AT WIZARDS
7 p.m., Verizon Center
TV: SportsSouth*. Radio: WFNZ-AM 610
Projected Starters
|
BOBCATS |
WIZARDS |
||||||
|
Pos |
Player |
Reb |
Pts |
Pos |
Player |
Reb |
Pts |
|
G |
R. Felton |
3.0 |
10.3 |
G |
G. Arenas |
4.0 |
22.5 |
|
G |
S. Jackson |
5.4 |
18.8 |
G |
N. Young |
0.7 |
2.0 |
|
F |
G. Wallace |
11.5 |
14.9 |
F |
C. Butler |
7.0 |
16.8 |
|
F |
B. Diaw |
5.2 |
12.7 |
F |
A. Jamison |
9.7 |
22.7 |
|
C |
T. Chandler |
6.7 |
6.0 |
C |
B. Haywood |
11.0 |
10.7 |
Matchup to Watch
Gilbert Arenas versus Raymond Felton: Arenas is just about as dangerous a scorer as there is at the point-guard position. How well or poorly Felton can contain him off the dribble has a big effect on how much help the Bobcats will have to give off other players.
Observations
The Bobcats have lost all seven road games this season. When you separate their statistics into road and home games, two themes emerge: They're playing dramatically weaker defense on the road (giving up 47 percent shooting, versus 41 percent at home) and they don't make free throws on the road (62 percent from the line, versus 78 percent at home).
The ankle injury Bobcats forward Boris Diaw suffered over the summer while playing for the French national team is still acting up.
Bad as the Bobcats' 3-point shooting is anywhere, it's actually better on the road (29 percent) than it is at home (25 percent). However they don't guard the 3 nearly as well on the road (39 percent) as they do at home (26 percent).
Charlottean Antawn Jamison isn't a classic NBA power forward for the Wizards; he's more a finesse scorer. That could allow the Bobcats to go small tonight, using either Gerald Wallace or rookie Derrick Brown for considerable stretches at the 4-spot..
Tap-ins
Caron Butler (sore ankle) missed the Wizards' game in Philadelphia, but was expected to play Friday versus Miami.
Mike Miller, a key Wizards reserve, isn't expected to play tonight, due to a calf strain.
Ex-Bobcat Earl Boykins is back from Europe, playing as a Wizards reserve. He scored 20 points on 7-of-12 shooting in his Washington debut.
Did you know?
The recent death of Wizards owner Abe Pollin will likely mean a sale of the NBA franchise and the Verizon Center to Ted Leonsis, who already owns the NHL Capitals. Leonsis recruited Bobcats managing partner Michael Jordan to the Wizards, first to run the team and then to emerge from retirement and play for it..
Rick Bonnell
* Might not be available on all cable systems.
