WIZARDS: Playoffs Still in Sight

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Playoffs Still in Sight

By Josh Sekine, washingtonwizards.com
April 3, 2002

Jordan

In a game that was important for both teams to win, the experience and leadership of the defending NBA World Champion Lakers was enough to overcome the challenge of the Wizards 113-93.

"Needless to say, we were overwhelmed by a great team," Wizards Head Coach Doug Collins said. "They shot the ball well, they made threes and they just attacked us in every way."

The loss dropped Washington's record to 34-40 for the season, and with Boston's 105-94 victory over the Indiana Pacers, the Wizards remain two and a half games out of the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

"We're still two and a half games out," swingman Michael Jordan said. "Fortunately, Indiana lost tonight, and we have tough teams still ahead. We have to play Milwaukee tomorrow, then go to Charlotte and come back here and play Memphis. We still have a chance, I'm not saying we don’t."

In his post game conference, Collins addressed that although he is aware of the race for the last playoff spot, he is in no way scoreboard watching. Instead, he expressed that he is sticking to his plan of teaching young players how to become better athletes.

"We can't worry about that Boston beats Indiana or this team win or this team loses. We have to really focus on what we are doing," said Collins. "The important thing for me is that we worked very hard all season long, and I want our guys to finish out the season in the right way. I want us to stay together, I want us to compete until the horn sounds on April 16 and I don’t want any losses or anything to come in the way of that."

The Wizards visit Milwaukee tonight (8:00 PM ET) for their fouth and final meeting of the season. Washington won their first game against the Bucks last Friday night in a 107-98 victory that saw Michael Jordan score 34 points just a month after knee surgery. The Bucks lead the season series 2-1, and will look to the Wizards to try and end a three game losing streak.

"They lost tonight too, so they are going back home and I'm sure they have a short memory," said Jordan. "They need to get back on a winning track, they want to finish the season strong and I'm sure that George (Karl) wants to get them back in playoff mode."

Washington will continue their schedule against playoff teams when the travel to Charlotte to take on the Hornets Friday night. They currently hold the sixth playoff spot in the East, but are looking to move up to try and secure home court advantage in the first round.

Washington will then come home to play the Memphis Grizzlies followed by four straight games against .500 or better teams in New Jersey, Philadelphia (twice) and Indiana.

Jordan has led the team in scoring every game against Charlotte, including a 51-point performance in the Wizards only win against the Hornets 107-90 at MCI Center back on December 29. The Hornets lead the season series 2-1 after beating the Wizards at home 95-88 on November 20 and then in Charlotte 99-93 on December 26.

Washington shocked conference leading New Jersey on New Year's Eve 98-76 in front of a sold out MCI Center crowd. Since then the Wizards have dropped two games to the Nets including a 93-82 decision at home February 21. The Wizards will look to match the season series at two games apiece when they play the Nets in New Jersey, April 9.

There is no love lost when Washington and Philadelphia get together. The Wizards took the home opener against the Sixers 90-76. Allen Iverson got revenge by scoring 34 points in a 94-81 win in Philadelphia back in January. Iverson is currently on the Injured List (fractured left hand) and could miss the rest of the regular season.

Indiana currently holds a 2-1 series lead over the Wizards this season. The Pacers took both games in Indiana, 110-103 on November 22 and 108-81 on December 27. The Wizards got payback on February 3 when they stunned the Pacers by 20, 109-89. The final game will be played at MCI Center and could be a game as to decide which team takes the eight and final Eastern Conference playoff spot.

The Wizards will wrap up their season on Tuesday, April 16 against the New York Knicks, who they have a 2-1 record against this season.

Wizard of the Night

Rookie forward Kwame Brown continued his rookie growth process as he put up 14 points, six rebounds two assists and a blocked shot in 33 minutes against the Lakers. He shot 6-14 from the field and was 2-3 from the free throw line.

"You're watching Kwame Brown. That kid is getting better every game, and that's exciting," Collins said.

But Brown feels that playing his best is not good enough unless the Wizards win.

"I'm trying to do the best that I can to help the team make the playoffs," said Brown. "My playing good is not good enough if we're not winning."

Brown is looking for another solid performance in tonight's game against the Bucks. Friday night he posted five points, on 2-4 shooting, three assists and a rebound in 11 minutes against Milwaukee.