Game Preview: Wizards vs. Spurs
Preview
The Wizards look to pick up their first win of the season tonight when they host the San Antonio Spurs at Verizon Center (7pm | TV: CSN | Radio: 106.7 FM, 1500 AM).
In the past two games, the Wizards needed extra time to decide their fate, but unfortunately they came up empty both times, losing first in overtime in Atlanta on Wednesday and then in double overtime at home vs. the Bobcats on Saturday night. However, the team has become more encouraged with the return of Nene.
The Brazilian big man has given the team both a physical and an emotional lift since his return, playing limited minutes off the bench. He has scored in double figures in both games and is a +31 in the minutes he has played.
The Spurs are no stranger to double overtime, as they are fresh off a double overtime win over the Toronto Raptors on Sunday afternoon. With a veteran bunch like the Spurs, it will be interesting to see how many minutes their core players will play tonight when they take on the Wizards. Their core players are no strangers to this league, as their big three of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili have been terrorizing defenses for the past decade. But, the Wizards have played solid defense all season long and they will need their best defensive effort yet to slow down the Spurs attack.
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Tonight's Hot Player: Jordan Crawford
Learn More about Wizards 'Hot Player' Facebook Game and Play Along Here
Key Matchup
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Kevin Seraphin has moved into the Wizards starting lineup and will be heavily relied upon to score in the low post against a tough-minded Spurs team. Seraphin had a season-high 21 points in his first start, but struggled in his second on Saturday night as he was limited to just 6 points on 3-10 shooting. If the Wizards are going to take down the Spurs, they will need a big effort from Seraphin on the post.
For the Spurs, Tim Duncan has been a mark of consistency throughout his career and will go down as one of the best post-players in NBA history. While he is getting up there in age, he can still produce and is once again averaging a double-double through the first 14 games of the season. The Wizards will need to show Duncan some different looks and could try and send double-teams at the Spurs big man to slow him down.
In the below clip, Seraphin hits a go-ahead jumper in Wednesday night's game in Atlanta.
In this clip, Kevin Seraphin talks about moving into the starting lineup and having Nene back.
Spurs Projected Starters
G - Tony Parker | 6-2 | 185 lbs
PPG: 17.7 | RPG: 3.3 | APG: 7.5
G- Gary Neal | 6-4 | 210 lbs
PPG: 9.3 | RPG: 2.9 | APG: 1.7
G- Danny Green | 6-6 | 210 lbs
PPG: 11.1 | RPG: 3.6 | APG: 1.5
F- DeJuan Blair | 6-7 | 220 lbs
PPG: 6.6 | RPG: 4.7 | APG: 1.3
C- Tim Duncan | 6-11 | 255 lbs
PPG: 19.0 | RPG: 10.5 | APG: 2.6
Wizards Projected Starters
G - Shaun Livingston | 6-7 | 175 lbs
PPG: 6.0 | RPG: 2.0 | APG: 2.3
G- Jordan Crawford | 6-4 | 195 lbs
PPG: 11.6 | RPG: 3.5 | APG: 3.7
G- Bradley Beal | 6-5 | 207 lbs
PPG: 11.3 | RPG: 3.6 | APG: 2.1
F- Jan Vesely | 7-0 | 235 lbs
PPG: 2.6 | RPG: 2.5 | APG: 0.8
C- Kevin Seraphin | 6-10 | 278 lbs
PPG: 10.8 | RPG: 4.4 | APG: 1.0
Wizards Injury Report
Out
- John Wall (knee)
Questionable
- Trevor Booker (knee)
Spurs Injury
Report
Out
- Kawhi Leonard (Quad/Knee)
- Stephen Jackson (Finger)
