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Wizards News, Notes & Quotes |
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Written by Media Relations
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Monday, 10 December 2007 |
The Washington Wizards host the Minnesota Timberwolves tomorrow night (Tuesday, Dec. 11th) at Verizon Center at 7:00 pm on Comcast SportsNet and WTEM 980 AM.
* This game marks the second and final meeting between Washington and Minnesota this season. After defeating the Timberwolves on November 16th in Minnesota, Washington can earn its first season-sweep against the Wolves since the 1999-00 season with a win. The 1999-00 NBA season also marked the Wizards’ last win in Minnesota until their victory at the Target Center last month.
* Washington has won three straight games against the Timberwolves in Washington DC, with the Wolves last win here coming via a 110-91 count on December 12, 2003.
* The Wizards enter the game with a 10-10 record this season, and with a win will climb back above the .500 mark for the first time since they were 6-5 after 11 games.
* With 22 points and 10 rebounds in Washington’s last game, Wizards forward Antawn Jamison recorded his 14th double-double of the season — the most among all Eastern Conference forwards. Boston’s Kevin Garnett ranks second among Eastern Conference forwards with 11 double-doubles this season.
* Jamison has recorded a double-double in six consecutive games, matching his longest such streak as a Wizard (11/19/05 - 11/30/05). With a double-double tonight, Jamison will match his longest career streak of consecutive double-doubles (seven straight from 12/27/00 - 1/8/01).
* The last Wizard to record seven straight double-doubles was Rod Strickland, who did so in eight straight games from February 10-26, 1998.
* In Washington’s last game (W, 104-89 vs. NJ, 12/9)…Caron Butler had a team-high 28 points and a team-high tying five assists...Antonio Daniels contributed 10 points, five assists and a career-high tying four steals — and improved to 7-5 as a starter...Antawn Jamison had 22 points and 10 rebounds for his sixth straight double-double (14th of the season)...DeShawn Stevenson’s 12 points marked his 7th double-digit scoring output of the season, and his fifth in the last seven games...Darius Songaila contributed 11 points and season-high tying six assists...The Wizards tied their season-low with just nine turnovers...Washington won for the first time this season when shooting a lower field goal percentage than the opposition.
* Last game vs. the Timberwolves...The Wizards defeated the Timberwolves, 105-89, in Minnesota on Friday, November 16th...Caron Butler had a game-high 29 points...Gilbert Arenas had 27 points a team-high eight assists, but hasn’t played since...Brendan Haywood led the Wizards with 11 rebounds.
* Last season vs. Minnesota...Washington and Minnesota split a pair of meetings, as each team won on its home court...Antawn Jamison missed both games...DeShawn Stevenson averaged 22.0 ppg in two games against the Wolves; his highest scoring average vs. any opponent last season.
WIZARDS HEAD COACH EDDIE JORDAN
On Gilbert Arenas’ absence:
“We need Gilbert; we aren’t going to kid ourselves. We are happy with the way we are playing, but we can play better. It has been a sensitive season, so we just have to keep our nose to the grindstone and keep working.”
WIZARDS FORWARD CARON BUTLER
On Gilbert Arenas’ absence:
“We are holding down the fort until he comes back. We have to continue to play a high level of basketball. We have good veteran leadership in this locker room, and everyone is doing a good job right now.”
WIZARDS CENTER BRENDAN HAYWOOD
On Minnesota Timberwolves’ center Al Jefferson:
“Al Jefferson is playing very well. He had a great game versus the (Phoenix) Suns. Last time we played him we tried to take away his right hand, but he still found ways to make plays. He is a great player.”
On Gilbert Arenas’ absence:
“We definitely miss Gilbert a lot, but Nick Young, Andray Blatche, Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison have all stepped their game up. Everyone knows they have to do a little more because we are missing 30 points a game from our lineup.”
WIZARDS FORWARD DARIUS SONGAILA
On his sprained left ankle:
“It feels better than yesterday. We’ll see how it feels tomorrow morning. Usually mornings are the worst. We’ll do some more treatment today and make a decision tomorrow.”
WIZARDS GUARD ROGER MASON, JR.
On the Minnesota Timberwolves:
“They are a talented group, and they just beat the Phoenix Suns. We have to be ready because they are playing with a lot of confidence right now.”
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