Nuggets at Wizards
THE STORY: Blowing a 21-point lead at home in the season opener
proved to be an ominous sign of things to come for the Washington
Wizards, who promptly lost their first eight games and 12 of 13. The
Wizards will hope to build on an omen of a different kind following a
shocking 105-102 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday
when they host the Denver Nuggets on Friday. The Thunder entered the
game with a seven-game winning streak and owners of a league-best 12-2
record. It marked the first time in NBA history that a 12-loss team
defeated a 12-win team with each having played no more than 15 games.
Wizards point guard John Wall, who led the way with 25 points, eight
assists and seven rebounds, said the team cannot afford to get too
carried away with the victory. “We know we’re better than our record,”
Wall said. “You’re still 2-12. You still got a lot to do.”
TV: 7 p.m. ET, Altitude (Denver), CS Washington
ABOUT THE NUGGETS: (10-5): Denver is also coming off an impressive
win, handing the Philadelphia 76ers their first home loss 108-104 in
overtime Wednesday. Backup point guard Andre Miller erupted for a
season-high 28 points and added 10 assists. Miller, a former 76er,
scored the final 10 points in regulation for the Nuggets, who have won
four of five and two in a row on their five-game road trip. Nene had his
second double-double of the season with 20 points and 14 rebounds.
ABOUT THE WIZARDS (2-12):
Washington has eclipsed 100 points only twice this season, both coming
in the last two games. Wall has turned in his two best offensive outputs
in those outings, having scored a career-high 38 points in Monday’s
loss to Houston. Explosive guard Jordan Crawford has struggled much of
the season, but scored 18 points against the Thunder and has 35 in his
last two games. It is the fifth time in six games he has scored in
double figures.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. The Nuggets have
won three straight and eight of the last nine meetings with the
Wizards. They scored at least 111 points in seven of the eight
victories.
2. Washington center JaVale McGee is averaging 13.0 rebounds in the last three games and 10.1 for the season.