The Wizards arrived with 1/2 an NBA team the other night in Toronto and absolutely nobody had any sympathy whatsoever. It’s that time of year where all the excuses have played out and nobody cares anymore. It’s win or go home and the Wizards left a bunch of guys at home. Without Beal, Kuzma and a late scratch to Morris Washington really had no chance unless the Raptors wanted to give it to them. Oddly enough that’s what it looked like might happen at one point. This was a more important game than many thought thou as a win by the Wiz would have put them only a couple games back holding the tie break against the Raptors. While a bit of a tall order to catch the Raptors even with that win it certainly was possible. A loss shuts the door on any hope of the Wizards beating the Raptors out for a play in spot.
The Raptors came out hard to start the game with some big early 3 pointers and tough inside work to jump out to a quick 10 point lead after only a bit more than 4 mins. A great start by a team that seems to have learned some lessons lately about effort and starting important games better. That start carried over the entire first half as the Raptors took a healthy lead into the break. However something Wes Unseld Jr., head coach of the Wiz, said during the break really woke up his team as they came out blazing for the second half. It wasn’t really any obvious let down by the Raptors either as their offense kept it moving but defensively they couldn’t match the effort the inspired Wizards were giving. Clawing all the way back to only 1 point behind late in the 3rd Raptor fans started getting that sinking feeling in the pit of their stomachs.
Fred said ‘Not Tonight’ thou as he immediately hit a 3 pointer followed up with a couple free throws off getting fouled on a drive and then nailing a middy to ensure his team didn’t blow a huge game. It’s what leaders do…score buckets when teams need them. The Starters all returned for the Wizards and oddly enough they flat lined offensively as the Raptors D fed off the Fred response and stepped up to carry the game to an easy walk off win. Let’s see who gets some flowers and lumps of coal for their work tonight…
The Good
O.G.
A tower of power he was a sniper from deep and a force driving to the rim. Defensively tough and opportunistic as usual O.G. simply outplayed anyone the Wizards had tonight. Reverse dunks are nice too.
Freddy
Did it all tonight and did it when the team needed it. His deep shooting was special tonight when it hasn’t been that great most of the year…a huge issue for this team heading into the playoffs.
Kristaps Porzingas
The Unicorn played well but there wasn’t much help for the big guy tonight. Good to see an injury prone guy get in a solid season and show his talent rather than fade away and fall out of the league.
The Bad
Malachi
Stat line: 0 for 3, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0 in 7 mins. Please let it end! I beg you! I can’t keep coming up with funny insults for this guy every damn game. Just throw a jersey at some fan and put him in the game instead as a promo or something. That I can get behind with a lot of funny stuff. I can’t keep insulting Malachi every game now.
Corey Kispert
I hate guys that shoot the lights out and can’t defend worth a dime. The hype around this guy turns me off. I just know he’s going to get an oversized contract and carve out a career in the NBA as well despite my opinion. GM’s will bring him in and Coaches will struggle to hide him defensively for a decade. There’s a sucker out there buying his great shooting every year…I just know it.
Precious
-10 in 6 mins hitting one of 2 shots and missing both free throws. It’s hard to remember a young man who’s played so good and so bad. Something can’t be right in his world to be playing like this.
Shout out to Dowtin who played a controlled game moving the ball and not making any mistakes to hurt his team. It may have taken an army of fans to get him on the court and that same army might have to show up this Summer to keep him on the team.
Shout out to Jonny Davis…#10 pick overall last year…who put up his best performance in the NBA to date logging 30 mins. His opportunity to show out finally arrived with a bunch of guards injured and he was ready for it going 5 for 8 with a nice deep ball and some ok work on the floor. I see you man!
So that’s an important game the Raptors got the win in. There is no reason it was within 1 point late in the 3rd quarter with the lineup the Wizards came into town with. That’s a concern. However the Raptors who are who they are at this point stepped up both offensively and defensively when challenged tonight and that’s a good response. Let’s enjoy that and call this a step up in the preparations for the playoffs. Hopefully the team can get one game at home to win and get into a playoff series but no matter what they will be up against the wall in do or die games very soon. They look as ready as ever for them now having played so many important games already late this year.