Examination: Wizards vs. Clippers in Summer League action

Hasheem Thabeet (right) couldn't handle Blake Griffin.
Then again, Griffin can fly, according to this picture.
That's what media buzz will do to you.  And a red bull.
(AP Photo/Laura Rauch)

The Washington Wizards get their first taste of L.A. Clippers rookie Blake Griffin tonight in an 8:30 p.m. Summer League exhibition.  Will JaVale McGee have a chance to dominate, or will Griffin continue to cruise?

Yesterday, Washington had trouble with a speedy guard by the name of Jonny Flynn.  With Griffin at power forward, the Clippers feature second-year combo guard Eric Gordon, who scored 16.1 points per game in a break-out rookie year, and a point in Mike Taylor, who has averaged 5 assists per game over three in Summer League action.

For Washington, Nick Young has been the staple of their offense.  Scoring 25.3 points per game, no other Wizard has consistently contributed in the same way as Young.

Tip-off is at 8:30 p.m. and I will be here with running commentary and gametime updates as well as on Twitter chatting with fans and fellow members of the Wizards Contingent.

Live Game Examination:
Washington Wizards vs L.A. Clippers
[Final Boxscore]

Update 8:20 p.m. ET: Game to start in ten minutes.  Follow Bullets Forever in their Open Thread.  BF also wrote some great articles about JaVale McGee earlier today, including an interview with assistant coach Don Zierden, and an interview with Brendan Haywood.
Update 8:37 p.m. ET: Starting line-up: JaVale McGee (C), Josh Heytvelt (PF), Dominic McGuire (SF), Nick Young (SG), Javaris Crittenton (PG); Andray Blatche to sit out tonight.
Update 8:40 p.m. ET: 7-4, Washington early.  4:27 to go in first.
Update 8:43 p.m. ET: 7-6, Washington.  3:51 to go in first.  Griffin knocks down two FTs.  I like J Critt going strong and getting FT opportunities, 3-of-5 so far.  Wizards also handling Griffin well so far, very physical, but Griffin trying to take over.
Update 8:53 p.m. ET: 15-12, Washington at end of first.  McGee very physical against Griffin to start this game, should be a fun one to watch.  McGee has 4 points and 2 blocks, Griffin has 5 points and 0 blocks (but 3 steals).
[End of 1st; 15-12, WAS]

Update 8:59 p.m. ET: Game feed from NBA.com is having "weather related difficulties."  They do have an excessive heat warning today, but what's new?  24-14, Washington, early in second, McGee with 9 points and 7 minutes till half.
Update 9:02 p.m. ET: Washington doing a great job getting to the free throw line tonight, 10-for-14 as a team.
Update 9:07 p.m. ET: 29-26, Washington, 3:14 to go till half.  Young with the hard drive, now has 9 points to match McGee.
Update 9:08 p.m. ET: In the first 12:06 McGee has 9 points on 4-for-4 from the field, 3 blocks, 2 steals, but only 2 rebounds, 2 turnovers, and 3 fouls.  10 fouls are allowed in Summer League, so a 24 minute-projection of 18 points and 6 blocks doesn't waver too much.  Still, McGee will have to play as tough as he is tonight without getting into foul trouble once the regular season starts.
Update 9:20 p.m. ET: 32-29, Washington at half.  Check out this Antawn Jamison interview while you wait.  Low score but high octane.  McGee having best game of summer with 11 points and 4 blocks.  5-for-5 from the field.  Griffin 9 points, 6 rebounds, 4 steals.  Young has 9, hasn't found range yet.  Clips' Caner-Medley has 8.  Sounds like a TV-dinner.
[End of half; 32-29, WAS]

Update 9:28 p.m. ET: Heytvelt: 0-for-2 from the field in 6:34 played first half.  1 assist, 1 personal foul.  Third quarter starts with a shot by the Clips DeAndre Jordan, 32-31, Washington.
Update 9:32 p.m. ET: 39-35, Washington, 7:00 to go in third.
Update 9:36 p.m. ET: 42-35, Washington, 5:50 to go in third.  15 points and 4 turnovers in 17 minutes for Young.  He found his range, and is trying to put early troubles behind him.
Update 9:45 p.m. ET: 49-38, Washington, 2:40 till end of third.  McGee is a blocking machine tonight. Griffin isn't getting intimidated, but free throw woes might change his mind.  6 blocks for McGee (7 if you include a goaltend call on a Griffin shot), and Griffin is 1-for-6 from the charity stripe.
Update 9:50 p.m. ET: 54-43, Washington, end of third.  Washington playing a sound defense game tonight but their offense hasn't thrived from the perimeter.  Very physical, living in the paint.  Clippers' are out-rebounding Washington.  McGuire has 9, else McGee still only has 2.  Otherwise, McGee is having a great game.
[End of 3rd; 54-43, WAS]

Update 9:58 p.m. ET: Nice contact by McGuire to pick-up the foul on Grif who is still holding up his hands like he didn't do it.  57-45, Washington, 7:40 till end of game.
Update 10:03 p.m. ET: 62-48, Washington, cruising.  J Critt completes and-1.  6:25 to go in game.
Update 10:11 p.m. ET: 68-54, Washington, 3:29 to go.
Update 10:14 p.m. ET: Lots of Clips fans here in Las Vegas, very loud bunch.  70-57, Washington, 2:56 to go.  Looks like Wiz going to take this one.  Baron Davis is real mellow, talking with the Summer League guys.  McGee just threw down a nasty oop, flew back with his salute-swagger.  72-57, Washington, 1:47 left.
Update 10:23 p.m. ET: 74-64, Washington, final.  19 points, 7 blocks for JaVale McGee.  19 points for Young.  17 for J Critt, 9-for-12 from the free throw line after going 0-0 on Friday.  Heytvelt plays niche defense on Griffin and gets three big offensive rebounds.  McGee on blocks "I'm just trying to be in the paint and protect it."  Blake Griffin finishes with 19 points and 10 rebounds, and 4 steals.  The man is a beast.
[End of game; 74-64, WAS]

Tonight we saw the best of JaVale McGee.  While he only grabbed 4 rebounds, his 7 blocks and thundering alley-oop late in the second half have become trademarks, and the fan-favorite really showed what he was made of tonight as the Wizards cruised by the Clippers to even their Summer League record at 2-2.  Thanks for reading, and I'll have more tomorrow!
 

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