"Fast-talking Washington coach Flip Saunders stood near center court before Wednesday night's game against Oklahoma City spewing praise on the Thunder for the second straight day.

After gushing over the team's All-Star duo of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, Saunders shifted gears and shared his admiration for the Thunder's big men. He called the four-man rotation of Serge Ibaka, Kendrick Perkins, Nick Collison and Nazr Mohammed the NBA's best foursome up front.

Approximately three hours later, Saunders watched his two-man tandem of Andray Blatche and JaVale McGee own the glass against the quartet he had just spent so much time commending.

The Wizards out-rebounded the Thunder 52-43 in their three-point stunner over OKC on Wednesday. Washington had a commanding 19-6 advantage on the offensive end. Blatche and McGee — who outrebounded the Thunder's four post players 21-18 — combined for more offensive boards (nine) than the Thunder mustered as a team.

It was only the continuation of the Thunder's season-long trend of poor rebounding.

"We're trying to win jumping contests," said forward Nick Collison "and that's tough in the NBA. That's definitely something we need to clean up. It's hurt us all year.""