With the Toronto Raptor’s recent stretch of dismal performances, taking a look at the near future should help to alleviate the pain of the gloomy present.
If the playoffs were to start today, Toronto is set to face the Washington Wizards in the first round of the playoffs. The Raptors have swept the Wizards in their three matchups this year and went 3-1 against them last year. The first game in November was won with ease (103-84).
Since then, things have been much closer. The Raptors won an overtime game in January 120-116, and won eleven days later 95-93.
There are, in my mind, three key matchups to this series. Whichever team wins these matchups will have the upper hand.
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Point Guards:
John Wall has a slight advantage over a healthy Kyle Lowry. Wall’s quickness has been too much for Lowry in the past; Wall scored 28 and 21 points in the last two meeting. However Lowry’s game has been off since January and he’s had two stints of missed games for rest. If Lowry isn’t fully healthy in the playoffs guarding Wall is going to be a nightmare.
Toronto will only go as far as Kyle can take them. If John Wall is able to stifle Lowry things could get ugly quick for Toronto.
Shooting Guards:
This will be the other key matchup of the series. This season, DeMar has been averaging 21 points against Washington (he averages 19.1 on the season), but he’s only been shooting at a 38% clip. He’s made up for his poor shooting by getting to the line 10 times a game and shooting 86.7%. If DeMar can get to the line and focus on taking less bad shots, he wins the matchup and gives Toronto a huge edge.
On the other hand, if DeMar isn’t able to keep Bradley Beal off the three-point line, the Raptors will suffer greatly. Beal is shooting 42% from beyond the arc. If Beal is allowed to shoot this well, he’ll open up the court for Wall and give the Raptors headaches on defense.
Bench:
The Raptors bench continues last year’s custom to be one of the team’s strongest assets. This season the bench is 6th in the league in scoring, 9th in assists (the team as a whole is 21st), and first in the league in 3 pointers made.
Feb 11, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard Lou Williams (23) shoots against the Washington Wizards at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Wizards 95-93. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
(All bench stats come courtesy of basketball.realgm.com.)
Beyond the stats, the Raptors bench has played as a cohesive unit more often than not, something the starters have not done.
While the starting lineups for Toronto and Washington matchup well, the Raptors bench is stronger than the middle-of-the pack Wizards bench. They 15th in the league in points per game, 14th in 3-point percentage, and 19th in Free Throws Attempted. With Toronto’s offense struggling recently, there will be a lot of pressure on the bench to produce in the playoffs.
All in all, the series promises to be exciting. The teams matchup well and there doesn’t seem to be a clear favorite.
I have the Raptors winning in six.
Other stats come courtesy of NBA.com
wizards vs raptors