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Games Notes: Miami vs Washington
The Wizards lack of a serious low post presence is part of the reason why they struggled against Miami. Michael Beasley started off guarding Etan Thomas yet the Wizards did not take advantage of that matchup despite Thomas’ 30 pound weight advantage. Thomas would roam the perimeter setting picks and rolling to the basket, but at no point did he set up down low, call for the ball or take it to the basket strong. JaVale McGee is a force on defensive end but on offense he primarily scored on putbacks and lobs despite being guarded by 6′7″ Shawn Marion and 6′8″ Udonis Haslem.
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Game Notes: Miami at Toronto
The big news today was Andrea Bargnani being inserted into the starting five while Jose Calderon didn’t play due to his hamstring. Even though Toronton was missing their floor general they still responded with a big 107-96 win over Miami to snap their current two game losing steak.
Game Notes: Washington Wizards 95, Utah Jazz 87
Defense is what won this game for the Wizards. After giving up an average of 109 points a game in their first five losses, they finally gave a stellar defensive effort for 48 minutes. They had 11 steals, 10 blocked shots, held the Jazz to 43% shooting and they forced 17 turnovers. Given that Coach Jordan said in his pregame conference that this pick and roll offense was nearly impossible to stop or slow down, this was significant.
Game Notes: Philadelphia at Toronto
Besides losing a game they needed to win, the Raptors also temporarily lost starting point guard Jose Calderon to a hamstring injury. After the game Calderon was swarmed by the media and he assured them that he hopes to play on Sunday against Miami. As if to prove his point, after the media parted from his locker he walked out of the locker room with his normal stride and no appearance of a tight hamstring.
Game Notes: New York Knicks 114 - Washington Wizards 108
Nick Young continues to be the surprise of this young season. He scored 16 points, got his shot off at will and he even brought the ball up the court a few times. While DeShawn Stevenson played sluggish all evening, Young was the complete opposite and I would not be surprised to see Young getting more of Stevenson’s minutes in future.
Game Notes: New Jersey Nets 95, Washington Wizards 85
Last year when I watched Yi Jianlian, I was completely unimpressed. He had a sweet stroke, but he took difficult shots and he seemed unwilling to mix it up inside, even when he frequently had a height advantage over his defender. Tonight, I saw a completely different Yi.
Game Notes: Minnesota at Toronto
Minnesota sneaked out a 90-86 win thanks to the inspired play from their bench. One of the players who led the way was former D-League standout Blake Ahearn who enjoyed a great game despite refusing to “pull a Horace Grant” and wear goggles to protect his eyes.
Game Notes: Moscow at Toronto
Toronto rallied behind a huge defensive surge in the third quarter to pull out a big win against CKSA Moscow but the final score of a preseason game isn’t what really matters tonight. Check inside for the scoop on who was lobbying for votes in the Canada Federal Election, insight into what Jermaine O’Neal showed on the court tonight and to read what Sam Mitchell had to say about no longer showing any charity towards players who don’t deserve to see the court.
Game Notes: New York at Toronto
It’s the presason so tonight’s game notes aren’t too heavy on stats or the outcome of the game. Instead I talk about my chat with Rowan Barrett, share what Mike D’Antoni said before the game to make the media chuckle and I boast about the new and improved Andrea Bargnani.
United States Breezes by Australia
By the end of the third quarter, the United States lead had ballooned to 27 points, and the fourth quarter resembled garbage time of an NBA game.