Washington Wizards point guard John Wall looks to keep at the torrid pace of his last three games when the playoff-bound Wizards host the NBA-worst New York Knicks on Friday night in D.C.
Projected Starting Lineups
New York Knicks (14-61)
PG: Shane Larkin: 5.9 ppg, 2.9 apg
SG: Langston Galloway: 11.4 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 3.2 apg
SF: Lance Thomas: 8.6 ppg, 3.0 rpg
PF: Andrea Bargnani: 14.9 ppg, 4.3 rpg
C: Louis Amundson: 5.8 ppg, 6.0 rpg
Washington Wizards (42-33)
PG: John Wall: 17.6 ppg, 9.9 apg, 4.7 rpg, 1.76 spg
SG: Bradley Beal: 14.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 3.2 apg
SF: Paul Pierce: 12.2 ppg, 4.0 rpg
PF: Nene Hilario: 11.0 ppg, 5.1 rpg
C: Marcin Gortat: 11.9 ppg, 8.7 rpg
What to watch for:
The Wall is on fire!
How hot is John Wall exactly. Well, he is averaging an eye-popping line of 30.3 points, 8.0 assists, 7.0 rebounds, and 31 free-throw attempts in Washington's last three contests -- all of which have been wins. Wall has helped the Wizards turn it around in a big way following a troubling four-game losing streak, keeping the slim possibility alive for Washington to chase down Chicago for the #4 seed in the East (3 GB with 7 games to go).
Moral victories for Derek Fisher's crew?
The Knicks put up a hell of a fight late in Wednesday's home contest against the Brooklyn Nets, rallying back from a 14-point 4th-quarter deficit only to fall just short in a 100-98 loss. Derek Fisher's team is an inexact mish mash of pieces young and older than may not be a part of the franchise's future plans, and these last 7 games could very well bring more "moral victories" than actual W's.
Prediction: Wizards roll 105-91
Washington has seemingly found its groove again after a topsy-turvy beginning to March, and the song's not likely to be interrupted by the Knicks -- regardless of whether or not Paul Pierce is limited prior to the team's playoff run a couple weeks from now.
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