Gilbert Arenas is no longer a star at the Amway Center vs. the Magic like he had been at the Verizon Center vs. the Wizards. That may not be a issue for the experienced G.
Arenas & the visiting Magic attempt to deliver the Wizards their 7th consecutive defeat Friday evening when the clubs play for the 1st occasion since the December deal that dispatched Arenas to the Magic.
The 3 time All Star had been the topic of deal gossip most of the 1st month of the year. He appeared destined to depart Washington having knee & ankle injuries reducing his pace & overall number one choice John Wall the main focus of the club's process in turning the club around.
The controversial Arenas probably had too many chances even prior to the regular season following he had been suspended fifty contests in 2009 - 2010 for bringing a firearm into Washington's locker room, then faked an injury to be on the sidelines pre-season matchup in October.
Arenas, who put in 25.0 points & 5.7 dishes in just over 7 injury Hampered years at the Verizon Center vs. the Wizards, is putting in 8.7 & 3.9 assists in twenty-three games coming off the bench for the Magic ( 31 - 19 ).
The 29 year old viewed the move as an chance for a 2nd opportunity & is only required to assist strengthen the Magic as a League title contender.
Arenas didn't have much of an impact with ten points & 4 dishes in twenty-seven minutes of Orlando's 104 - 100 defeat to the Heat on Thursday. The Magic have dropped 2 consecutive & 4 of 6.
In spite of their current hard stretch, the Magic will attempt for a 5th straight win against the Wizards ( 13 - 35 ).
Orlando has put in 110.5 points & put in 52.9 % their previous 4 matchups versus the Wizards, however required a Dwight Howard put-back having 4.3 seconds remaining to leave Washington having a 100 - 99 victory November 27th.
Howard, who had seventeen with sixteen boards against the Heat, put in 32 in that game & completed having twenty-three during a season opening 112 - 83 win against Washington on October 28th. That loss started Washington's problems on the road.
Washington fell to 0 - 25 on the road this year following finishing a 4 game trek with Tuesday's 97 - 89 defeat at the New Orleans Arena vs. the Hornets. The Wizards already dropped 7 consecutive overall December 5th to 18th.
Wall ( 14.7 points per game ) had been kept to 4 points on 2 of 10 from the floor Tuesday. He got fourteen with 9 dishes in his League debut versus the Magic, however skipped the teams' November meeting due to a bruised right knee. Washington swing-man Nick Young, who put in 30 versus New Orleans, has put in 23.1 points the previous thirteen contests. The Wizards are 13 - 10 on their home court, however have lost 2 of 3 there.