Knicks at Wizards
Washington looks to keep alive its slim chance at homecourt advantage
in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs when it hosts New
York on Friday. The fifth-place Wizards, who play five of their final
six games on the road, enter the contest trailing Chicago and Toronto by
three games with eight to play.
Their lead on sixth-place Milwaukee is five games, meaning only a free-fall could prevent Washington from clinching at least the fifth seed. The Wizards are 2-2 on a five-game homestand after a 106-93 win over Philadelphia on Wednesday, bumping their mark to 27-12 overall at the Verizon Center. The Knicks are in a race of their own, although not one they are particularly proud of. Following a 100-98 loss to Brooklyn on Wednesday, New York held a two-game lead over Minnesota for the worst record in the NBA.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, MSG (New York), CSN Mid-Atlantic (Washington)
ABOUT THE KNICKS (14-61): New York has lost six in a row against Washington and eight in a row overall following a 100-98 setback against Brooklyn on Wednesday. Andrea Bargnani continued his solid stretch run with 22 points while his fellow starters shot 11-for-32 from the floor. Rookie Cleanthony Early led a solid effort by the bench with 14 points and six rebounds in 27 minutes, and is averaging 13.3 points in four games since returning from a sprained ankle.
ABOUT THE WIZARDS (42-33): Like a lot of teams, Washington is trying to get itself in the best shape physically before the postseason begins, and there may be some positive developments in that area. Kris Humphries, the squad's second-leading rebounder, returned Wednesday from a lengthy absence due to a hamstring issue and provided six points in 15 minutes off the bench. Veteran Paul Pierce was given Wednesday off and will have had four full days without any game action by the time Friday rolls around as he looks to shake free from a slump that has seen him average 4.8 points on 25.6 percent shooting over six games.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Wizards PG John Wall is averaging 17.7 points and 8.7 assists in three wins over the Knicks this season.
2. Knicks PG Langston Galloway has scored in double figures five straight games to match a season high.
3. Washington C Marcin Gortat is averaging 13.3 rebounds over his last three games after 10 straight contests producing nine or fewer.