WASHINGTON at NEW YORK 1pm
These two met twice so far this year with WASHINGTON coming out on top in both games.
On 12/07/02 WASHINGTON won at home 100-97. At the half it was WASH 56 NY 47, and at the end of three WASH led 80-71. In the final 2 minutes NEW YORK made a 9-0 run to get back into the game, only to fall short as CHARLIE WARD'S 3 point attempt could not find the net in the final seconds.
NEW YORK had 6 players in double digits(A Houston 17, L Sprewell 16, O Harrington 10, K Thomas 17, C Ward 16 and S Anderson 15)
The leaders for WASHINGTON were Stackhouse 22, L Hughes 22, C Laettner 15 and MJ 20.
Both teams came into this game on no rest, WASHINGTON after an 88-78 loss at ORLANDO and NEW YORK after a 91-80 loss at BOSTON.
WASHINGTON led by as many as 21 in the game, but NY could not close the gap, although they were 11 of 24 from three point range.
They met again on JAN 11th this year where WASHINGTON prevailed 89-84. At the half it was WASHINGTON 43 NY 37, and at the end of three the game was dead even at 64 each. NEW YORK actually lost this game on foul shots. WASH made 23 of 28 while NY had 14 of 15. NEW YORK committed quite a few more fouls in the earlier meeting also.
It was NEW YORK 67-64 early in the fourth. WASHINGTON 77 to 72 with 5:18 to play. LATRELL SPREWELL made a 3 pointer to tie the game at 79 with 2 minutes to go. The game went down to the wire as A HOUSTON missed a clutch shot with 4.1 seconds remaining. OAKLEY rebounded and was fouled. He went on to make both free throws, then WASHINGTON'S STACKHOUSE stole the inbound pass and was fouled. He made the two foul shots and time expired.
Again both teams came in on no rest, WASHINGTON after a 104-99 home loss to GOLDEN ST, and NEW YORK after a 114-112 close win at PHILADELPHIA.
WASHINGTON won in NEW YORK last year 87-86 and lost 93-91 also at NEW YORK. The WIZARDS won both meetings at WASHINGTON 96-80 and 116-112.
Both teams want this game WASHINGTON at 30-32 and NEW YORK at 27-35. It would seem that NEW YORK is in more need of the win. They both come in on 1 day rest and the game should see high scoring in my opinion. I do think that NEW YORK will prevail in the game, but not by a lot.