Apr 3, 2013; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) goes up to make a basket between Washington Wizards forward Trevor Booker (35) and center Kevin Seraphin (13) during the first half at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Washington managed just 7 field goals in the second half. The Raps hardly resembled an offensive juggernaut themselves, except for huge contributions from DeMar DeRozan and Jonas Valanciunas. JV scored only four baskets, largely because the Wizards kept fouling our giant rookie centre. When Shaquille O’Neal was terrorizing the NBA in the ‘90s, “Hack-a-Shaq” became the popular alternative to being dunked upon. Shaq was a dismal free-throw shooter, so the technique worked, but JV showed last night that defenses will need to find something else to contain our emerging star. Jonas drained no fewer than 16 FTs on 18 tries, to finish with a career-high 24 points.

DeMar got his 25 points in a more conventional manner, by burying jump shots from all over the court, and taking the ball to the hoop fearlessly. Rudy Gay, after showing his Dr. Jekyll side against Detroit with 34 points, rolled out Mr. Hyde. Our highest-paid player managed 6 points, outscored by, among others, Quincy Acy, who had 8. Kyle Lowry hit the Raps’ only 3-ball, ended with 9 points and a most welcome 13 assists against 2 turnovers.

Toronto won the rebounding battle, which was surprising considering the Wizards played their big lineup featuring Nene and Emeka Okafor. The Raps pulled down a sad 4 offensive boards, but compensated by holding the Wiz to “one & done” all night. Led by JV’s 10, the Raps grabbed 40 defensive rebounds.

Apr 3, 2013; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward Quincy Acy (4) goes up to make a basket as Washington Wizards forward Trevor Booker (35) defends during the first half at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

The Wizards’ superstar-to-be guard, John Wall, needed 17 shots, and 10 free throws to count 20 points. With his team shooting 32.5%, he can’t be faulted for a mere 5 assists.

The Raps head out on the road, with a visit to Minnesota on Friday, followed by games at Milwaukee and Chicago.

Brian Boake is a co-editor for Raptors Rapture. “Like” Raptors Rapture on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @RaptorsRapture for all the latest news and updates about the best damn NBA team from Canada.

Apr 2, 2013; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) brings the ball down court against Chicago Bulls forward Carlos Boozer (5) during the second quarter at the Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Paul Frederiksen-USA TODAY Sports

Against Detroit, the Raps finally got the game they have been waiting from Rudy, and still folded in the fourth quarter. Coach Dwane Casey has been hamstrung by a threadbare bench (Landry Fields is having his elbow re-examined; one wonders if he’ll ever be right), even so, the Raps should be able to handle Washington. The Wizards’ best player by far is the veteran-brain-in-youthful-body point guard John Wall, who is emerging as that rarest of talents – one a team can be built around. When John is directing their offense, everyone touches the rock, and in scoring positions. His supporting cast is a modest collection of talent, with much to be modest about, but he makes them as good as they can be.

I’m losing confidence by the game in the Raps, particularly in their inability to close out victories. However, I think the Raps can grab a win if they:

1. Get everyone involved in the offense. How can anyone be surprised that Terrence Ross is struggling so mightily?  Our rookie barely touches the ball, and on those rare occasions when he does, he panics. Time and again, the Raps play 4-on-5 in the half-court set, and then wonder why there’s so little scoring. Rudy Gay and DeMar DeRozan are frequently guilty of ball-stopping, but Kyle Lowry has to accept some blame for his inability to spot TR. At least our guards are making an effort to get Jonas Valanciunas the ball inside. Guess what, guys? It works. And so might some inside-out passes, JV.
2. Play more zone defense. Play multiple versions of zone…box and one, 2-1-2, 2-3. The Raps need to confuse the young Wizards. Admittedly playing a lot of zone D is tricky in the era of defensive 3-second violations, but it can be done. Bradley Beal torched the Raps from distance last week, and a zone should cut down on his ability to “lose” his defender via multiple screens.
3.  Keep a true centre on the floor all game. John Wall loves to drive and dish down low. If we keep a shot-blocker (I’m giving Aaron Gray the benefit of the doubt here!) in place, he should be able to disrupt the pass, or, failing that, bother the receiver. No easy buckets for Emeka Okafor, Kevin Seraphin, and the others. Quincy Acy can provide valuable minutes in this role, as he plays bigger than his height.

Mar 29, 2013; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas (17) blocks Detroit Pistons center Viacheslav Kravtsov (55) during the fourth quarter at The Palace. Raptors won 99-82. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Optimism overcomes logic once again. I’ll pick the Raps to finally get a grip in the fourth quarter, and have enough buffer built up to leave the floor as 104-100 victors.

Brian Boake is a co-editor for Raptors Rapture. “Like” Raptors Rapture on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @RaptorsRapture for all the latest news and updates about the best damn NBA team from Canada.