Evans, Kings Steal Game From Arenas, Wizards

Fourteen. Six. Those are the two magic numbers for today's post. Divide six by fourteen. What did you get? 2.33? ....me, too.
The Wizards have currently lost six games in a row by a combined fourteen points. That means they've lost each game by about 2.33 points. It also ties an NBA record of six straight losses by less than four points each game. The most recent one came last night in Sacramento, where the Wiz faced a young Kings squad. Once again, though, the Wiz fell beind early, catching up a bit, but still lost the 1st quarter by a point. That was just the start.
The Kings went up by 9 in the 2nd quarter, but the Wiz made a run toward the end of the quarter that continued into the 3rd quarter and kept it pretty close for a while, eventually mustering a run to give themselves a 3 point lead. But, that lead quickly fizzled away as the Kings pulled away due to a 15-2 run late in the 3rd, and never let go of it. Up 12 with less that 4 minutes remaining, the Wizards played tough defense, good offense, and pulled to within one point with 16 seconds left. This set up Arenas, with 33 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, who showed many more glimpses of his old self tonight than he has in any other game this year, to do what he does did best. He dribbled at the top of the three-point line...watched the clock wind down...made his move toward the hoop with 4 seconds remaining...made a lightning-quick crossover...and then...BAM! In the blink of an eye it was stolen by Tyreke Evans and Arenas had to foul him, sending him to the bench with his 6th foul of the night. Goodbye Arenas, goodbye game. Kings win 101-98. It is difficult to watch these games anymore. I know the ending before it plays out. They may not be winning games, but there's no doubt they make losing interesting.

A Typical Wizards Night...Close, But No Cigar.

In the words of my brother at the end of last night's game -- "Somewhere LeBron is laughing."
Of course he is. He's probably dancing like he did against the Bulls, too. Why? Because just as he did against the Cavs in the playoffs a few years ago, Arenas missed two free throws in the final seconds of a game en route to another Wizards loss. He shot 1-6 from the foul line for the game...and then went straight to the practice gym after the game and made 40 of 50 free throws. Probably not the amount we all know he can make, but 80% in the practice gym by himself is just a little better than the 16% he shot when it counted. Right? So why does the man who loves attention always make them behind closed doors and miss them with the game on the line?! I wish I knew...
And even after the missed free throws, there was still a chance for the Wiz to tie the game at 103, but, following a timeout, Arenas got the ball and rushed a three that clanked off the rim and fell to Randy Foye, who ran to the three-point line and quickly fired a turnaround three because time was expiring.....except there was about 8.5 seconds left when he shot it. He didn't know how much time was on the clock, and once again, the Wizards showed they didn't know how to win. At 7-13, thee is always a chance to turn things around, but the hopes of this happening fades quicker and quicker as the Wiz lose game after game.
Side-note Observation:
I will say, however, that Brendan Haywood has been more than I ever expected him to be this season. No, he doesn't average 20 and 10, but his numbers are still very solid (averaging over 10 points, almost 11 rebounds, and more than 2 blocks per game!) and continued his consistent performing with 17 points and 8 rebounds and a block on 7-7 shooting last night. His presence is really felt on this team. I never thought I'd witness the transformation of "Brenda, the weak center" a few years ago to "Brendan, the Wizards' big-body in the paint!" I am very glad for him, too, because when I come to games early, I see him out on the court before EVERY single home game working on his free throw shooting, which has drastically improved over the years, and low-post moves, which have looked much better this season, as well.

Big Night

So, after some really tough losses against the Toronto Raptors and the short-handed (and I mean SHORT-HANDED)Detroit Pistons as of late, the Wiz look to get back on track tonight...but it won't be easy. A nationally televised game vs. the Boston Celtics could provide some extra info about what the Wizards are really made of. While their current two-game losing streak and 7-12 record show otherwise, people who know the Wizards' personnel feel that things could get turned around, though it's been taking much longer than expected. (Former) All-Star players, an all-star coach, three-point specialists, and an offensive rebounding machine. And they're 7-12? Clearly not good enough and no one is happy about it. But against the Celtics, winners of eight in a row right now, the Wiz need to play with the heart, desire, will and desperation that was NOT showing against the Pistons last game if they want to have a chance against this Boston powerhouse. I won't be at the game because of a late class tonight...damn those Thursday night classes at Mason!! I'll just have to pray that things go our way and that Flip and Ernie, who recently spoke publicly about the dissapointment of this season so far, have gotten into the heads of these players...for good instead of for the next game or two. Either way, it will be a tough one tonight and we'll see what type of energy this team comes out with and if they can withstand the charge or even possibly get a huge "W" in the end.
KEYS TO A VICTORY TONIGHT:
-Arenas scores more in the fourth quarter than he did in the fourth against the Pistons (a.k.a. just get at least a free throw)
-Antawn gets back to his consistent self and gets his 20 and 10 that we all know he can get
-Caron stops hesitating and pulls the trigger when he has the open shot
-Brendan comes up huge on defense with some blocks and at least 10 boards. We will probably need at least 4 on the offensive end from him if we want second chances
-Foye gets in and hits some shots and gets back to feeling comfortable on the court
-Boykins can mix things up and get Boston confused with his weaving through the defense
-Nick Young hits his first shot...because we all know he's hot when he hits early and...I don't even want to go to what happens when he misses early.