Wizards crushed by Suns, head home for Sixers

While they had their way Friday night, Arenas, ice pack in his
hand, sat with Haywood and Butler in Phoenix during a
garbage time fourth quarter against the Suns.
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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Wizards' Record: 8-17 (13th in East)
Tuesday's Game: Washington vs. Philadelphia
Game Time: 7:00 p.m. ET. on Comcast SportsNet
and 106.7 The Fan.  Nationally on NBALP.

The Washington Wizards fell early to maestro Steve Nash and the hometown Phoenix Suns last night and were buried during a decisive 39-25 third quarter which led to a 121-95 blow-out road loss.  Phoenix featured balanced scoring, led by a 15 points and 15 assists performance from Nash, while the Wizards high-point man was Gilbert Arenas with 22 following his 45 point performance Friday night in Golden State.

With just under 10 minutes left in the first quarter, the Washington Wizards led the Phoenix Suns 9-6 after an Antawn Jamison three point make.  A minute and a half later and Phoenix was up 10-9, and from there, the Suns finished the half on a 53-38 run.

Washington didn't fare well at the start of the third quarter while Phoenix decided not to let up.  Even up by thirty, the Suns kept Steve Nash and Amar'e Stoudemire in the ball game for the entirety of the third, while Washington emptied their bench for the final three minutes.  At the start of the fourth quarter, Washington's starters, down 102-72, had no choice but to look on from the bench.

What went wrong?  Well, it was another poor shooting night for Washington, only 36.4% from the field.  Also, the Wizards only had 14 assists.  Gilbert Arenas began the game strong with 2 assists early, but the Wizards missed six shots in a row, down 10-9 in the first, and then trust began to fade.  Arenas finished the game with only 4 assists on the night after a season-high 13 Friday night.

During the game, Michael Lee of the Washington Post suggested this performance could be the result of an end to a road swing, as Washington could be eager to get back home.  Maybe, at least, we know there will be plenty of ice Monday morning for the Wizards to use following the beating in Phoenix last night, but after Arenas joked around Friday night about wanting to stay in Golden State, following his all-around performance, all you can say is Phoenix is higher caliber than Washington right now.

Seven Suns had five or more points by halftime, and everyone in a Suns jersey seemed to be active last night in Phoenix, while the Wizards, on a back-to-back set of road games, looked sluggish.  Traveling back home, with a Tuesday evening match-up against former Head Coach Eddie Jordan, Allen Iverson, and the Philadelphia 76ers, the Wizards will get a little rest, but will then head right back out for a three game road trip.  No breaks for this Washington ball club.

The good news, if there is any after a blow-out, is Nick Young finished last night's game with 20 points off the bench during extended fourth quarter garbage minutes.  It's very important for Young to feel confident off the bench for Washington, as he is one of the few Wizards capable of scoring in bunches as a reserve, something the team needs to secure those close, down the wire games.  More good news, Antawn Jamison looks fine.  Sure, he's beaten up, and a 15 points and 4 rebounds performance is not going to cut it for AJ standards, but he's still chugging.

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• Wizards Holiday Pack ($99/$199 -- 2 tickets to 3 home games & Gilbert Arenas replica jersey)
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