WHO'S NEXT
vs. New York
Today, 7
|
_____ Who's the Man? _____
Note: This is an unscientific survey of washingtonpost.com readers.
| | |
|
Comcast SportsNet
WWRC-1260
After chasing down Denver's Andre Miller and Earl Boykins to no avail on Wednesday, the Washington Wizards will try to shut down another tough back-court tandem in Stephon Marbury and Jamal Crawford of the New York Knicks tonight at MCI Center.
Gilbert Arenas and Larry Hughes form the NBA's highest-scoring back court, averaging 41.3 points per game, and Marbury and Crawford are right behind at 38.8. "It should be a good matchup," Hughes said. "We're up to it."
Like Miller and Boykins, Marbury and Crawford provide separate challenges and have the ability to change a game. Marbury, a two-time all-star, is averaging 20.2 points and 8.9 assists. Crawford, acquired from the Chicago Bulls last summer, is averaging 18.6 points.
"Stephon is averaging nine assists, so he's penetrating and dishing," Wizards Coach Eddie Jordan said. "Jamal Crawford is more aggressive . . . . He can certainly pass the ball, but he's got deep range and real good dribble moves, like Stephon. It's going to be important for our guards to contain people and contest shots."
Crawford scored a season-high 41 points in a loss against the Charlotte Bobcats on Dec. 4, but he has scored just 25 points combined in the past two games. . . .
Forbes Magazine released the value of all 30 NBA teams based on market size and real estate. The Wizards ranked 18th at $273 million. The Lakers were No. 1 at $510 million, with the Knicks second at $494 million.
-- Michael Lee
