GT #51: Toronto Raptors @ Wizards 7:00 PM (NBCSWA/1500 AM)

[Kanyewest]

Washington won its second straight game without John Wall, defeating the Thunder 102-96. In their matchup last Thursday, Westbrook managed to score 49 points against Wall and the Wizards but in this last game Westbrook only managed to put up 13 points on 18 shots. The Wizards got an assist from the officials who did not give the superstar calls that Westbrook normally gets as he managed to only get to the free throw line 2 times. OKC also managed to move away from their hottest player Paul George who only had 3 shots in the 2nd half.

The Wizards played another game with a similar style of sharing the ball and playing hard on the defensive end. Bradley Beal had 21 point, 9 rebounds and 6 assists and a nice chase down block on Westbrook. Otto Porter also had a nice game scoring 25 points on 13 shots while adding 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals. Satoransky did a great job staying in front of Westbrook all game; while he didn't have a field goal, he nailed 4 critical free throws as the Wizards outscored the Thunder by 21 points when he was on the floor. Washington made 27-29 of their free throws and both misses came from Bradley Beal.

The Wizards play their 3rd game against the Raptors and for the 3rd straight time without Wall. The Wizards won their first matchup in Toronto aided by Beal putting up 38 points and Kyle Lowry getting ejected in the first half. The Wizards dropped the second game due to a strong performance by DeRozan as Washington only managed to score 91 points. The Raptors are closing in on the top spot in the Eastern Conference as the Celtics and Cavs have struggled.

Here is Washington's last win against Toronto at home.

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[FAH1223]

The Raps have our number. Don't think the Wiz have beaten them in DC in a long time in the regular season.

The win @ Toronto earlier this year was a great W. It's very hard to win up there.

[Kanyewest]

The Raps have our number. Don't think the Wiz have beaten them in DC in a long time in the regular season.

The win @ Toronto earlier this year was a great W. It's very hard to win up there.

Yup, the last win at home in the regular season came on March 31st, 2013.

[nate33]

Tough game. Toronto plays D as well as OKC, but they play offense better. The Wizards won't benefit from Toronto shooting 28% from 3-point range like OKC did.

On the other hand, the Wizards shot poorly against OKC. Maybe somebody will catch fire from 3-point range tomorrow.

[NatP4]

Tough game. Toronto plays D as well as OKC, but they play offense better. The Wizards won't benefit from Toronto shooting 28% from 3-point range like OKC did.

On the other hand, the Wizards shot poorly against OKC. Maybe somebody will catch fire from 3-point range tomorrow.

I thought we thoroughly outplayed OKC, we just missed wide open 3s and Brooks was intentionally trying to lose the game with this no point guard lineup and his extended all bench lineups and overreliance on Morris.

By the way, Satoransky should 1000000% be on Derozan in this game, he’s that perfect bridge between Beal and Otto in terms of athletic ability and size. Basketball IQ that allows him to defend without fouling and not bite on pump fakes. Don’t make me watch Oubre get taken to the woodshed again, Brooks.

[daSwami]

Operation Tank, game 1

[nate33]

Tough game. Toronto plays D as well as OKC, but they play offense better. The Wizards won't benefit from Toronto shooting 28% from 3-point range like OKC did.

On the other hand, the Wizards shot poorly against OKC. Maybe somebody will catch fire from 3-point range tomorrow.

I thought we thoroughly outplayed OKC, we just missed wide open 3s and Brooks was intentionally trying to lose the game with this no point guard lineup and his extended all bench lineups and overreliance on Morris.

By the way, Satoransky should 1000000% be on Derozan in this game, he’s that perfect bridge between Beal and Otto in terms of athletic ability and size. Basketball IQ that allows him to defend without fouling and not bite on pump fakes. Don’t make me watch Oubre get taken to the woodshed again, Brooks.

It was Otto that shut Derozan down in the playoffs two years ago. But IIRC, Otto didn't fare that well in their regular season matchups this year.

[nuposse04]

DeMar has also added 3pt range to his shot, which makes close outs on him that much more difficult.

Its the raptor's bench that worries me, mostly cause, yah know... it is well constructed. Lots of talented player. Guys who play hard too. They don't have anyone as good as P. George, Adams and maybe Grant defensively, but they do play hard. Casey also I believe has improved as a coach, which tbh is kinda rare in the NBA.

[NatP4]

Tough game. Toronto plays D as well as OKC, but they play offense better. The Wizards won't benefit from Toronto shooting 28% from 3-point range like OKC did.

On the other hand, the Wizards shot poorly against OKC. Maybe somebody will catch fire from 3-point range tomorrow.

I thought we thoroughly outplayed OKC, we just missed wide open 3s and Brooks was intentionally trying to lose the game with this no point guard lineup and his extended all bench lineups and overreliance on Morris.

By the way, Satoransky should 1000000% be on Derozan in this game, he’s that perfect bridge between Beal and Otto in terms of athletic ability and size. Basketball IQ that allows him to defend without fouling and not bite on pump fakes. Don’t make me watch Oubre get taken to the woodshed again, Brooks.

It was Otto that shut Derozan down in the playoffs two years ago. But IIRC, Otto didn't fare that well in their regular season matchups this year.

yeah thats how I remember it as well, shut him down as a 2nd year player in the playoffs, but since then, he can't really guard him. If we play small and switch all of Sato/Beal/Oubre/Porter onto him on any given possession, you feel great about that.

[nuposse04]

Porter plays Demar far too tight for the last season and a half. I don't know if he is always expecting help but for such a competent player you would think he would know it is better to bait demar into taking mid range 2s. He needs to give him far more space then he does.

[FAH1223]

DeMar has also added 3pt range to his shot, which makes close outs on him that much more difficult.

Its the raptor's bench that worries me, mostly cause, yah know... it is well constructed. Lots of talented player. Guys who play hard too. They don't have anyone as good as P. George, Adams and maybe Grant defensively, but they do play hard. Casey also I believe has improved as a coach, which tbh is kinda rare in the NBA.

I'd give Demar the 3 and hypnotize him in the long 2s. His drives are too smooth and he makes difficult shots

[TheKingOfVa360]

This is a big game for us. A win vs the Raptors would push the Wiz closer to the 3rd seed.

[cammac]

Wish John Wall was playing both DeMar & Lowry have been playing so so the last number of game but defense is strong. Interesting to watch JV has been terrific against top Cs but Gortat seems to be his nemesis. Hope its a good game while I cheer for the Wiz as my 2nd team hoping for a victory to bring us .5 games behind the Celts.

[long suffrin' boulez fan]

Wish John Wall was playing both DeMar & Lowry have been playing so so the last number of game but defense is strong. Interesting to watch JV has been terrific against top Cs but Gortat seems to be his nemesis. Hope its a good game while I cheer for the Wiz as my 2nd team hoping for a victory to bring us .5 games behind the Celts.

Cammac. Just curious what inspires you to root for the Wiz as your second team?

And, oh yeah, after you answer that remember we’re mortal enemies until after the game ends, eh?

[cammac]

Wish John Wall was playing both DeMar & Lowry have been playing so so the last number of game but defense is strong. Interesting to watch JV has been terrific against top Cs but Gortat seems to be his nemesis. Hope its a good game while I cheer for the Wiz as my 2nd team hoping for a victory to bring us .5 games behind the Celts.

Cammac. Just curious what inspires you to root for the Wiz as your second team?

And, oh yeah, after you answer that remember we’re mortal enemies until after the game ends, eh?

Got my BA at William & Mary so Washington is natural 2nd team was in Vietnam years.
So got my ass out of USA and got a MBA at Queens.
Plus they like the Raptors don't get the respect they should.
Sure we have been rivals the last number of years hated when you took us 4 straight.

[Error Afflalo]

Tough game. Raps are very good and fun to watch. Bench is great, which is bad for us. I guess that's what happens when you value draft picks. Casey has to be the COY front runner at this point, right?

I was very impressed with our defense and toughness against OKC. Hoping that carries over.

[dcstanley]

Might have to play Beal and Otto close to 40 minutes. Their bench unit is way too cohesive for our bench to have a chance.

[FAH1223]

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[long suffrin' boulez fan]

Wish John Wall was playing both DeMar & Lowry have been playing so so the last number of game but defense is strong. Interesting to watch JV has been terrific against top Cs but Gortat seems to be his nemesis. Hope its a good game while I cheer for the Wiz as my 2nd team hoping for a victory to bring us .5 games behind the Celts.

Cammac. Just curious what inspires you to root for the Wiz as your second team?

And, oh yeah, after you answer that remember we’re mortal enemies until after the game ends, eh?

Got my BA at William & Mary so Washington is natural 2nd team was in Vietnam years.
So got my ass out of USA and got a MBA at Queens.
Plus they like the Raptors don't get the respect they should.
Sure we have been rivals the last number of years hated when you took us 4 straight.

Ok. I don’t mind if you talk smack about Williamsburg. All fake old buildings and lousy pancake houses.

[ducler]