After registering back-to-back wins by more than 20 points for the first time this year, the Wizards face a challenging week, starting tonight against visiting Houston and 7-foot-6 Yao Ming.
After traveling to Atlanta Friday, the Wizards face the ultimate challenge, a home-and-home series with Boston, Saturday and Monday, not that coach Eddie Jordan is looking ahead. Or is he?
“Boston’s coming in. Houston’s coming in,” said Jordan. “We got Boston. Who’s looking ahead?”
Jordan drew giggles with his ironic comment Sunday afternoon at Verizon Center. After a season hovering near the .500 mark, Jordan is anxious to see what the Wizards (17-15) can do against elite competition. He even challenged his best player, Caron Butler, after his 33-point, 5-assist, 4-steal masterpiece in Sunday’s 108-86 win over Seattle.
“We want to see him against the best players,” said Jordan. “Let’s measure that.”
Tonight against Houston (17-17), the Wizards will try to solve a squad that has won four of six without its top scorer, Tracy McGrady. Picking up the slack has been Ming.
“Yao Ming presents a different challenge that you don’t see on a nightly basis in the NBA,” said Wizards center Brendan Haywood. “He’s 7-6, skilled, strong, finishes well and has a great understanding of the game.”
Saturday at the Verizon Center, the Wizards get their first look at Boston (29-3) since losing to them, 103-83, on Nov. 2. The Celtics have won nine straight, including an uplifting 92-85 victory at Detroit Saturday night, which avenged the Celtics lone home loss.
Rockets-Wizards
Where » 7 tonight, Verizon Center
TV » Comcast SportsNet
Radio » 980 AM
