The Washington Nationals picked up their first Grapefruit League win last night with a 6-4 decision over the New York Mets.  Gio Gonzalez (1-0) threw two scoreless and hitless innings in his Spring debut.  Gonzalez, Ross Ohlendorf, and Nathan Karns combined for nine strikeouts in the first 7 innings, scattering just two hits and allowing one run, charged to Ohlendorf.  Karns, the fifth rated prospect in the Nats system, threw two scoreless innings and allowed just one hit.   

Eury Perez continues to impress at the plate for the Nats, going 3 for 3 on the day with 2 runs scored and a stolen base.  Perez is now 5 for 9 (.555) in three games.  Steve Lombradozzi was 2 for 3 with two RBI as he continues in his battle to increase playing time at second base over Danny Espinosa.  Lombo scored a run and drive in two runs.  Will Rhymes was 2 for 2 at the plate.  Tyler Moore, Adrian Sanchez, Destin Hood, and Carlos Rivera also drove in a run apiece.  Overall, the Nationals battered Mets pitching for 6 runs on 17 hits. 

The Nats improved to 1-1 with 1 tie in three games.  Washington will face the Atlanta Braves today. 

Here is a little more from the Wash Post on Karns debut.  And from the Wash Times.   Recap from CSN on Gio's starting debut.  Recap from Federal Baseball. And one more from Nationals Prospects. 

News Links:

Adam LaRoche is enjoying spring training with his son.  Speaking of LaRoche, he will join Jayson Werth today in making their respective spring debuts. 

Nats are continuing to be pleased with the progress of Wilson Ramos as he continues his recovery from off-season ACL repair.  Henry Rodriguez is nearing readiness for the Spring.  Rodriguez is recovering from off-season elbow surgery.  Pinch hitter Chad Tracy is scartched the next two games after taking a pitch off his arm. 

Anthony Rendon is taking advantage of his time playing in the bigs. 

More notes from Bill Ladson.

Former Nats' closer Chad Cordero is attempting a come with Anaheim. 

The Wizard and Raptors turned Toronto into Brick City tonight, as the two sub-.500 Eastern Conference teams put on a putrid offensive display filled with bad decisions, bad turnovers and, most of all, bad shooting. However, Washington outlasted the Raptors thanks to some good defense and out-rebounding Toronto 49-39. It's the thrid straight win for the Wiz and 14th in the last 22 games. This is only the second road game the Wizards have won against an Eastern Conference opponent. [Milwaukee was the other.] The Wizards have won 7 of their past 9 games and are 7-4 this month, guaranteeing them a winning record for the month of February. 

It was not an aesthetically pleasing game, as Washington missed 9 straight shots during one stretch of the first quarter. The Wizards hit only 27% of their shots in the first quarter, but led 17-16 because the Raptors were so careless with the ball. Toronto committed 12 turnovers before halftime.

The Wiz shot only 42% from the field and attempted 10 fewer free throws than the Raptors. But Washington made those free throws count, hitting 15 of 17 from the stripe. The bigger difference, though, was from long range, where the Raptors missed 14 of 19 [26.3%], while Washington was careful and superb, hitting 7 of 12 [58.3%] on 3-pointers. 

"Our defense gives us a chance," Head Coach Randy Wittman said after the game. He's right. The Raptors shot under 37% from the floor on the night. Trevor Ariza, Martell Webster, Nene and Emeka Okafor all had good games defensively, important contributions on a night when Ariza, Nene, and Okafor combined to miss 22 of their 33 shots. Toronto guard Rudy Gay, who played his high school ball in the D.C. area, lit up the Wizards for 24 points in the Raptors' win in D.C. last week, but he couldn't get rolling tonight, with the harassing Wizards defense crawling all over him. Gay missed 10 of 11 shots and scored only 7 points, a big reason Washington got the road win tonight. 

The Wiz got a big assist from the bench, with backup point guard AJ Price playing almost as much as John Wall, as the starter got into early foul trouble. Price scored 12 points on 5-7 shooting [2-2 on 3-pointers]. 

The Wizards built a 40-28 lead late in the second quarter and led 40-32 at halftime. However, the Raptors chipped away at the lead in the third quarter, finally tying the game up at 49. However, that's when Washington turned the tide for good. Beal scored to put the Wiz back up and then Ariza dropped a 3-pointer and AJ Price hit a runner in the lane. Quick and slick the Wiz were back up by 7 and although the Raptors went on a couple of runs, they never took the lead away. Washington led 63-54 going into the fourth quarter. 

It looked like the Wizards might run away with it, as they hit 6 of their first 8 shots in the fourth quarter and built the lead back up to 12. However, Beal had to leave the game with foul trouble [he finished with 5] and Washington struggled to score without their rookie on the floor. 

Rookie Bradley Beal led the Wizards with 20 points [18 in the first three quarters], hitting 8 of 13 shots and grabbing 6 rebounds. Nene shot terribly for most of the game, but finished strong, scoring 11 points on 4-10 shooting and grabbing 9 rebounds. Even worse as a shooter, tonight, Emeka Okafor hit only 4 of 14, but he did grab 13 boards and played solid defense. Martell Webster scored 12 points on 4-8 shooting, while Wall had another brutal shooting night against the Raptors, missing 8 of 11 and scoring only 10 points. He did a bit better as a point guard, though, dishing 7 assists and committing only 1 turnover. 

Leading 83-77 with one minute and 30 seconds left, the Wizards forced a bad miss by Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry. John Wall ran the clock down on offense, dribbling aimlessly before putting up a hideous jump shot -- worse than most of his ugly jump shots tonight -- that returned the ball to Toronto. However, a foul on Nene gave the Raptors two free throws and the chance to cut Washington's lead to four. However, DeMar DeRozan made only one of two, so Washington led by 5 points with 1:04 to play and Wizards coach Randy Wittman called timeout to talk things over. 

The Wizards had committed 20 turnovers leading to 25 Raptors points so it was critical they protect the ball. However, John Wall inexplicably lost his footing and fell down as he crossed half court. Wall quickly called timeout before Lowry could tie him up and force a jump ball. The Wizards set up a new play and Wall took a slick pass as he cut to the basket, blowing past Amir Johnson who committed himself too far out on the floor, and layed the ball neatly off the glass to extend Washington's lead to seven with 46 seconds to play. 

Rudy Gay missed a long three-pointer from the corner, but Trevor Ariza fell out of bounds as he grabbed the rebound. It looked like Ariza was fouled by Kyle Lowry, but nothing was called and the Raptors got the ball back. That led to long shots from Rudy Gay and Kyle Lowry, both of which missed, as the Wizards struggled to grab rebounds and hold the ball. Finally, Wall grabbed a Lowry miss and, after taking an in-bounds pass, was fouled by Lowry, sending Wall to the line. Wall calmly sank both shots, putting Washington up by nine points with 17.4 seconds to play. 

Lowry quickly hit a 3-pointer on the next play to reduce Washington's lead to 87-81 with 15 seconds left. Martell Webster took the in-bounds pass and was fouled immediately and sent to the line. Webster, 19th in the NBA in free throw shooting, hit both shots to push the lead back up to eight, 89-81. Lowry then hit another 3-pointer, this one from about 30 feet, to cut the lead to 89-84. Garrett Temple snuck behind the defense and was tripped as the long pass arrived. The call probably should have been a clear path foul, giving Washington two free throws and possession, but the refs went with a standard foul. Temple made the first shot, but missed the second. The Raptors threw up a desperation three, but it missed and the clock sounded game. 

Final score: Washington 90 Toronto 84. 

Next game: Wizards host Detroit Pistons on Wednesday at 7 PM.

The NFL Mock Draft Database is updated several times per week and now lists a whopping 305 mock drafts, an increase of 19 mock drafts since the last mock munch.  For this week's mock munch, we munched together all NFL mock drafts updated between February 21, 2013 and February 25, 2013, that is a total of 67 mock drafts!   By munching them together, we come up with leaders based upon an average of the most updated mock drafts out there. 

These mock drafts range from major sports media, to fan networks, to newspaper media, and to fan bloggers.  It's OK to be skeptical.  Their just mock drafts.  Their just opinions.  However, our mock draft consensus was pretty accurate last year.  So were many mock drafts.  Many of these are based on inside sources and team connections that may know a team's specific and general thinking of player rankings. So take it for what it is worth and what you value it to be. 

We track the total percent of mock drafts projecting the Top 6 picks and the change in percentage from the last update.   Here are the Top 6 picks

DATABASE TRENDS:

The Top 6 projection has been shaken up from the top slot the whole way through.  That will likely continue through the NFL Combine.  Five of the Top six slots see new leaders projected.  We also have a new first overall draft choice projection in OT Luke Joeckel.  Since we started munch mock drafts in December, West Virginia QB Geno Smith has been the projected top overall pick.  No more.  Any by a large shift as well.  In fact, many mock drafts have Smith falling out of the Top 6.  Last mock munch, over 50% of the mock projected Smith to the Chiefs.  Now, 59% of the mock drafts project the Texas A & M offensive tackle to the Chiefs.   The second overall pick is a tie between OT Star Lotulelei and DE Bjoern Werner.   Will be interesting to watch what kind of impact the Lotulelei health news has on mock draft writers.  Lotulelei was held back with an irregular heart test, but has since been cleared.  Will there bve an impact?   There are also new projections at the third slot with a relative new comer to the Top 6, DT Sharrif Floyd.  Floyd now leads to the Raiders with 27% of projections.  23 of the 69 mock drafts project Floyd between #2 and #4.  Steadily, DE Ezekiel Ansah continues to get projection at the sixth overall slot and now barely leaders there.  The sixth pick is pretty evenly projected between 5 players, Anmsah (10), LB Barkevious Mingo (9), LB Jarvis Jones (9), CB Dee Milliner (8), and DE Dion Jordan (7). 

OTHERS NOT LISTED:

 DE Dion Jordan is a growing favorite between the 2nd and 6th overall slots.  34 of the 67 mocks project DE Damontre Moore to go 2nd to 4th overall.  QB Geno Smith, who has led the mock munch since December, until this week, seems to be fading out of the Top 6.  OT Eric Fisher gets 22 projections between 4th and 5th overall. 

The Washington Capitals have agreed to contract extensions for two players. 

The Caps have resigned D John Erskine to a two year, $3.925 million extension.  Erskine came to Washington in the 2007-08 season.  He has 1 goal and 1 assist this season.  The Caps extended Erskine because of the tough and grit he brings to the blue line. 

The Caps have also agreed to a two year contract extension with 23 year old net minder Braden Holtby.  The Holtby deal is similar, a 2 year extension for $3.7 million.  Holty has wrestled the starting job away from Michal Neuvirth and has started the last six consecutive games.  His overall record this season is 5-6-0 this season with a 3.37 goals-against average and a save percentage of .896.  The Caps have won four of their last six games and significant credit is given to the goal tending of Braden Holtby, who has gone 4-2-0.

DC Pro Sports Report: We lead off with our roundup of this past weekend's Wizards action. It was a fun two games and we've got the words and video to prove it. 

Rant Sports: Sharing is caring -- about winning -- and the Wizards are the team to prove it. 

The Wizards are 6-2 in their last eight games and get a rematch against one of the teams they lost to during that stretch on Monday. It just so happens that the game they lost against the Toronto Raptors also happens to be when John Wall had his lowest assist output and the team had their second lowest in the last eight games. In the six wins the Wizards are averaging 26 assists per game while in the two losses they only averaged 21. ...

The catalyst for all of the sharing that has been going on for the Wizards, Wall. For his career he averages 8.1 assists per game but has been averaging 9 during this eight game stretch, reaching double digits in assists three times.

One can only hope this marks the final death of hero ball for the Wizards. More on that below.

Wash Post: Wizards guard Bradley Beal is playing like the closest thing this team has to a star. 

Wash Post: But the Wiz do not truly have a star yet,so they wisely do not try to create one in crunch time: 

The Washington Nationals are 0-1-1 in the Grapefruit League.  No, that is not the Caps record.  The Nats and Marlins settled at 2-2 after ten innings yesterday in their second Grapefruit League game.  Nats manager Davey Johnson had to enjoy the two runs scored by the Nats.  They came off a two run home run by the 6th overall pick in the 2011 MLB Draft, Anthony Rendon. No doubt the Nats will start Rendon out at Harrisburg (AA), but they will be keeping an extremely close eye on Rendon this season.   Rendon is looking to shed an injury riddled first two years.  More on Rendon's homer. 

“I guess it was my bad luck, my three or four years,” Rendon said last week. “That’s how I’m going to view it right now. I’m just looking forward to what’s ahead in my future.”  Rendon knows some people have attached an “injury prone” label on him. He disagrees, but he understands.

“I can’t blame them,” Rendon said. “If I were to see somebody, if I were in their perspective, seeing how many injuries they had, I might probably feel the same way. But obviously, I don’t feel that way about myself. I couldn’t help the way fields are. It’s just a freak accident.”

Speaking is injuries, the Nats will be watching Danny Espinosa closely this season.  Espinosa has a torn rotator cuff, but opted to rehab rather than surgery.  So far, Espinosa said the shoulder feels great.  Additionally, Nats reliever/starter Chriostian Garcia will be shutdown for 10-14 days.  Good news for Garcia is a forearm MRI revleaed only a strain.  Garcia has been suffering from forearm tightness. 

Game Recaps:  Wash Post, Wash Times, CSN Washington,

Nats reliever Drew Storen shrugs off his blown save yesterday. 

Nats take on the Mets today at 6:15 for their second meeting with the Mets in three games.  Gio Gonzalez takes the mound for his spring debut.  Here is the expected lineup for this evening.

Nationals’ lineup:

Eury Perez CF, Steve Lombardozzi 2B, Corey Brown RF, Tyler Moore DH, Chris Marrero 1B, Carlos Rivero LF, Matt Skole 3B, Chris Snyder C, Zach Walters SS
Gio Gonzalez P

 The Nats packed the house at Viera yesterday for their spring training home opener.  Although fans support the Nats are Viera, it is likely not an option past 2014.  The Nats wish to move to the West Coast of Florida to cut down on travel times.  Most spring training stadiums are on the west coast.  Nats owner Mark Lerner did admit that it is unlikely the Nats will have a deal in place for next spring.  Washington DC Mayor Vincent Gray was on hand in Viera yesterday to toss out the first pitch. 

Here is another article on Micah Owings attempt to make a switch from pticher to first base.  He is a non-roster invitee.

In Davey Johnson's final managing season, he may very well be the right guy, int he right place, at the right time.   

More expectations from MLB.com.   Nats shoudl just get ready for a growing bandwagon. 

Five Nats players were on hand for Jimmy Johnson's Daytone 500 win.  Here is Jayson Werth's appearance at Daytona 500.

Justin Miller and Kevin Keyes are testing out position changes. 

The Washington Nationals are 0-1-1 in their first two spring training games.  They tied in 10 innings today with Miami, 2-2.  Drew Storen blew a save and allowed 2 hits and 1 run in 1 inning of work, to blow the 2-1 Nats lead in the ninth inning.  Both of Washington's 2 RBI today came from a 2 run home run by the 6th overall draft pick of the 2011 MLB Draft, Anthony Rendon.  Jordan Zimmermann made his Grapefruit start, tossing 3 innings and allowing 2 hits and 1 run.   Bryce Harper was a perfect 2 for 2 at the plate today. 

Here are the early stats through 2 games for your starters. 

OF Denard Span:  1 for 4 (.250)

OF Bryce Harper:  3 for 5 (.600)

SS Ian Desmond:  1 for 3 (.333) with a run scored

2B Danny Espinosa:  0-1 (.000)

C Kurt Suzuki:  1-1 (1.000)

The Nats face the Mets again tomorrow evening at 6:10PM. 

There was a ton of criticism levied at Alexander Ovechkin this season.  Some of it right here at DCPSR.  There have been calls to take the "C" off his jersey.  Those calls are fading.

Ovechkin is heating up in a big way.  Aside from scoring, just take a look at how Ovechkin has played since the 5-2 loss to Pittsburgh on February 7.  Ovechkin is skating hard, hitting more frequently, taking more shots, and playing with some passion.  We all may look back to that Pittsburgh loss as the game that woke up Ovechkin.  Ovi put up a goal and assist in that 5-2 loss, but let his displeasure be known. 

Since that loss, the Caps have won 4 of their last 6, games including a huge 5-1 win over the Devils yesterday.  Ovechkin paved the way, racking up his first hat trick in nearly two years.  Ovi also added an assist on Troy Brouwer's 8th tally of the season.  The Caps have been frustrated.  They let that frustration run loss on New Jersey in the third period.  Caps scored 4 goals in a 16 minute period to pay retribution for a 3-2 loss on Thursday to the Devils.  

Besides the raining hats at the Verizon Center, the Caps tallied their first short handed marker of the season as Eric Fehr caught New Jersey net minder Johan Hedberg out of the new with a nice rap around goal. 

Goalie Braden Holtby had another super performance, stopping 16 of 17 shots to improve to 5-6 on the season.  It was Holtby's eighth consecutive start.   

So who's hot and who's not?

WHO'S HOT

Alex Ovechkin:  After a slow start to the shortended season, Ovi is picking up his game.  Over his last 9 games, Ovi has added 11 points, including 6 goals.  In 6 of those 9 games, Ovi has put the puck on net at least 5 times or more each game. 

Nicklas Backstrom:  The assist machine is starting to added up helpers.  Although Backstrom has tallied just one goal this season, he has added 12 assists, 5 of which have come over the last 5 games. 

Troy Brouwer:  Having quite the year this season.  He is tied with Ovi for the team lead in goals with 8.  He has 6 goals and 4 assists in the month of February. 

Eric Fehr:  Fehr got a chance to come back to the Caps after a failed one year stint in Winnipeg that saw Fehr add just 2 goals and 1 assist in 35 games last season.  Fehr chose to return to familiar ground in Washington, where he spent his first six if seven season of his career.  Expected to be a healthy scratch often, Fehr instead has earn ice time.  Fehr has tallied 4 goals and 7 assists in his last 6 games.  His marker yesterday was the Caps first short handed goal of the season.  Fehr has also added 3 goals and 10 shots on net in the third period this season. 

Mike Ribeiro:  You can just keep him here.  He has been on the up all season, easily being the most consistent Washington Capitals in a rather inconsistent season for the Caps.   Ribeiro has 5 goals and 8 assists in 10 games in February.  Ribeiro added two assists yesterday, both coming on two of Ovi's three goals. 

WHO'S NOT

Mike Green:  Injured again.

Jason Chimera:  After piling up a career high 20 goals last season, Chimera has been blanked in the first 17 games this season.  If Washington is going to make a run to turn this poor season around, Chimera must be a part of that turn around.  They are missing his scoring from last year.    

Wojtek Wolski:  The Caps were looking for a turn around season when they signed Wolski.  In 17 games, Wolski has just 2 goals and 2 assists.  He is also on an eight game scoreless streak. 

With the offense in the rear view mirror, attention now turns to the defense at the NFL scouting combine at Lucas Oil Field in Indianapolis. Monday will feature defensive lineman and linebackers with Tuesday of particular interest to Redskins coaches and scouts with the secondary. With that in mind, we wrap up our combine previews, combining parts three and four together.

The Redskins have no first round picks, with an extra fifth round selection, for a total of seven draft choices. Washington may be seeking two corners, a pair of safeties, an inside and outside linebacker, a nose tackle and a defensive end. Yes, that adds up to eight and with several needs on offense, some roster spots will need to be filled through either free agency or undrafted players.

Defensive Tackle- Barry Cofield has been a solid free agent pickup, but the team would love a strong backup. The Skins would love to not only spell Cofield, but allow him to slide outside on occassion in pass rushing situations. Backup Chris Baker is a restricted free agent, while Chris Neild is coming off an injury. Free agent signing Ron Brace could very well be the answer here.

Kwame Geathers/Georgia 6'5" 340- Technique needs work, but upside is as enormous as his size.

Montori Hughes/Tennessee-Martin 6'4" 330- DC Jim Hasslet doesn't like jumbo NT's, so Hughes may be the choice.

Terence Barnes/Georgia Tech 6'6" 370- Intriguing size, figures to be situational player at next level.

Defensive End- Stephen Bowen was another solid pickup, as the team successfully rebuilt the entire defensive line to suit the 3-4 scheme. Adam Carriker missed a good chunk of the season and rumors continue to circulate that he may be a salary cap casualty. Long time backup Kedric Golston is an unrestricted free agent. Jarvis Jenkins played what was effectively his rookie season with Doug Worthington working in reserve. Pass rush must be improved, but the return of Brian Orakpo should help. Phillip Merling was brought in and has untapped potential.

Devin Taylor/South Carolina 6'7" 270- Jadaveon Clowney gets all the pub and attention, which helped Taylor excel.

Damion Square/Alabama 6'2" 295- Waited his turn and became senior leader on nation's most stout defense.

William Gholston/Michigan State 6'6" 285- Underachieving Spartan brings loads of potential and size to match.

Margus Hunt/SMU 6'8" 280- My favorite player in the draft, would the Skins spend a pick high enough to get him?

Linebacker- London Fletcher has not announced his plans, but rumors persist that he has played his last down. Lorenzo Alexander is an unrestricted free agent and should be a high priority due to contributions on and off the field. Rob Jackson emerged with Orakpo going down and is restricted. Bryan Kehl is unrestricted and may become a priority if the numbers become a problem. Keenan Robinson is also returning from injury.

Jon Bostic/Florida 6'1" 245 ILB-- Very productive leader of the Gators defense, limited range and struggles in space.

Nico Johnson/Alabama 6'2" 250 ILB- Strong technique and very experienced playing inside in 3-4 scheme.

Jelani Jenkins/Florida 6'0" 245 OLB- Local product has potential to be among league's best cover backers in time.

Kevin Pough/Howard 6'2" 240 OLB- Another local product with great athleticism, only question is level of competition.

Cornerback- DeAngleo Hall obviously is facing a restructured contract, or a new employer. He could also be tried at free safety, depending on how things sort out in free agency and the draft. Cedriic Griffin is unrestricted. Will the Chase Minnifield gamble payoff? Josh Wilson and Richard Crawford return and possibly Jerome Murphy.

Darius Slay/Mississippi State 6'0" 190- Teammate Jonathan Banks gets all the pub, but Slay is player in his own right.

Tyrann Mathieu/LSU 5'9" 190- How high will the "Honey Badger" go? Kick return ability value added.

Blidi Wreh-Wilson/Connecticut 6'1" 195- Big, tough corner may lack deep speed, but excels in zone coverage.

David Amerson/NC State 6'1" 205- Led nation in interceptions (13) in 2011, took step back, but you can't teach size!

Safety- Major changes coming here. Tanard Jackson is unrestricted, hard to imagine him returning since he can't even speak with the team until the Fall. Brandon Meriweather is probably more valuable in cap savings than in reliability on the field. Madieu Williams is unrestricted and done. Jordan Bernstine returns from injury. Who is coming back? DeJon Gomes, Jordan Pugh and what would we do without Reed Doughty?

Bacarri Rambo/Georgia 6'0" 215 SS- Big time playmaker has all the measurables, but off the field concerns?

Phillip Thomas/Fresno State 6'0" 210 SS- Made a great recovery from injury in '11, tackling is only major concern.

Eric Reid/LSU 6'1" 215 FS- A MUST HAVE in my opinion, Reid had a stronger season in '11, but will be big time pro!

Robert Lester/Alabama 6'1" 220 FS- Prototype size, but stock has dropped due to weakness in man coverage.

T.J. McDonald/USC 6'2" 220 FS- Son of a former Pro Bowl safety, times in quickness and speed will be telling.

John Cyprien/Florida International 6'0" 220 FS- Seems to be a popular Redskins choice among "experts".

The Washington Wizards dropped their first two games after the All Star break -- by 11 points in Detroit and, worse, by eight points at home to the Raptors -- both sub-.500 teams. The Wiz gathered themselves this weekend, though, and came storming back against two of the better teams in the Western Conference. On Friday night the Wizards hosted the Denver Nuggets and completed their season sweep of that team, winning 119-113 after surviving a furious 4th quarter comeback. Last night, Washington hosted the high-scoring Houston Rockets, second in the NBA in points this season to the OKC Thunder. 

Coming into this weekend the Wizards had not given up 100 points to an opponent in 11 games, a stat reflecting the team's relatively new focus on winning with good defense. That went away on Friday and Saturday, though, as the Wiz gave up 113 points to the Nuggets and 103 points to the Rockets. Partially this reflects the fact that the Nuggets and Rockets are good offensive teams, but the Wizards allowed Denver to shoot 48% from the field and take 37 free throws. The Rockets shot 45%, but fired up 46 3-pointers, the most in the NBA this season and second-most by any team in NBA history. Houston made 13 3-pointers in the first half alone, just one shy of the record they tied earlier this month. 

Against the Nuggets the Wiz never trailed and put seven players in double figures in scoring, including all five starters. Emeka Okafor and Bradley Beal both scored 17 points against Denver, which topped the team on Friday night. Both player also hit the boards hard, with Okafor's 13 rebounds tops for the game and Beal's career-high 12 caroms next-highest. Apart from too many turnovers [18], the Wizkids did pretty much everything else on offense very nicely, shooting 48% from the field, 46% on 3-pointers, getting to the line 33 times, dishing 27 assists and demolishing the Nuggets on the glass by a 49-33 margin. 

Trevor Ariza  made a critical contribution off the bench against Denver, scoring 16 points on 11 shots, grabbing 4 rebounds, dishing 3 assists and playing his usual fine defensive game. 

The next night against Houston, things went somewhat differently. The Wizards trailed often during the game, by as much as 17 points, and were 11 back at halftime as the Rockets dropped a bewildering array of 3-pointers from all angles. The Wizards countered by going big and spreading the ball around, putting 5 players into double figures in points. Beal's 21 points led the team and he also contributed 5 rebounds and 4 dimes. Emeka Okafor came back with a similar game to the one he had the night before, scoring 17 and pulling down 11 boards. For the weekend, Okafor scored 34 points on 16 of 30 shooting, grabbed 24 rebounds and finished with a +29 court ratio. Okafor's strong play in the paint in recent weeks has been a much-overlooked part of their surge, as most of the attention has been focused on John Wall. 

Wall and Martell Webster, with both scoring 12 points and 11 and 4 assists, respectively. For the weekend, Wall finished with 26 points and 21 assists, a sign of his growing comfort running the offense and the fact that his teammates are now hitting the shots he's setting them up to make. Once again, of the bench, Ariza was critical, scoring 18 points on 8 of 12 shooting, grabbing 6 rebounds, dishing 4 assists and stealing the ball 4 times. A Wizards team that gets that kind of offensive and defensive production from such a fine defensive stopper is going to be a tough out against almost any opponent. 

The Wizards had 31 assists on 41 made baskets against the Rockets and spread the ball around nicely as the two teams dueled back and forth for the lead in the game's final minutes. While the Wizards hit only 7 3-pointers, one fewer than Houston made in just the first quarter, Washington's decision to go big resulted in shooting over 51% from the field, while Houston's over-reliance on the outside shot eventually brought them back to Earth. In the final moments of the game, with the game tied at 103, the Wizards ran an actual play rather than just clearing out for Wall or Beal. As Wall dribbled the time down outside the 3-point arc, his teammates got into position. Beal raced over to take the pass from Wall, but rather than shoot, the rookie guard found center Emeka Okafor on the blocks being guarded by the 6'6" Carlos Delfino. Okafor made his move and got fouled as he went to the hoop. His free throw proved to be the winning point for the Wizards. Here's the play: 

The Wizards have improved to 17-37 and are 11-4 against teams with winning records since January 7. 

NEXT GAME: Monday at 7 PM in Toronto against the Raptors. Revenge is a dish best served Canadian cold.