Raptors bench mob makes difference against Wiz: Lawson up next?
By Brian Boake
The Raptors second-stringers have frequently outplayed their peers, and did so in Game One. Will Washington roll out former star Ty Lawson in reply?
The Toronto Raptors have enjoyed unprecedented success this season for many reasons. Perhaps the most remarkable has been the emergence of their phenomenal second unit. They have carved up opponents consistently, and were on display once again in Game One of the playoffs. Toronto’s non-starters outscored their Washington opposite numbers by 42 to 21.
The Wizards’ results would have looked even worse without the contribution of Mike Scott, who dropped 14 points on 7 of 10 shooting.
Washington’s chances of pulling off a series upset took a body blow on Friday with the announcement of a 25-game suspension issued to guard Jodie Meeks. The Wizards were already thin on the bench. The loss of Meeks due to violation of the NBA’s drug protocol has left them with little outside shooting. In Game One, their bench contributed one 3-ball, that by Kelly Oubre Jr. The Raptors’ mob poured in eight.
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In a desperation move (maybe they knew the suspension was coming?), Washington signed Ty Lawson the day before. He is playoff-eligible; though dressed, he didn’t see the floor on Saturday. One cannot help but notice the irony of Lawson returning to the NBA (from China) under such circumstances. His excellent career washed out a few years ago after rumblings of substance abuse, and some all-too-real DUI convictions.
Meeks, by contrast, has always given me the impression of being a straight arrow. He’s appealing his suspension, but that takes time. For the foreseeable future, he’s gone.
I suspect we’ll see Lawson in Game Two. The Wiz will try anything rather than leave Toronto winless. Assuming Fred VanVleet is back at full strength, those two may put on an epic battle which should be fun to watch. They are both pint-sized point guards, yet fearless attackers.
Lawson might be difference-maker
Lawson put up big numbers in China. Whether his production carries over to these playoffs (assuming he even gets to play) remains to be seen. I’ve seen him enjoy huge games against the Raptors, particularly as a Denver Nugget. He’s the biggest X-factor the Wizards have.
I’d like to see Toronto get the ball down low when the rotation guys are in. Ian Mahinmi fouls at a prodigious rate. If Marcin Gortat can’t get decent rest, he’s likely to hack as well. All our big men are respectable or better at the foul line, so we can make them pay.
If Lawson can jump-start their stagnant second unit, the Raptors are going to be in trouble. Toronto didn’t dominate the Wiz. Both teams drained 41 baskets, but the Raptors made eight more 3s. That’s fine, but how often is our team going to shoot 53.3% from deep, and only escape with an eight-point win?
This series is far from decided.