Raptors at Wizards, Game 3 – Preview & 3 keys to victory

The Raptors are in Washington with hopes of doing further damage to the Wizards’ playoff chances. Can the home team find their game in time to make a series of it?

I’ve delayed publishing this preview in order to get a better sense of what roster tweaks the Washington Wizards plan to make. Here’s my best guess.

The Toronto Raptors can put a stranglehold on their first-round playoff series by defeating the Wizards tonight in Washington. While bouncing back from a 3-0 deficit is theoretically possible, it’s extremely rare in any sport. The Raptors rolled to healthy victories in the series’ first two games. Can they keep momentum on their side?

Marcin Gortat appears likely to be given the chance to redeem himself. He’s been outclassed by Jonas Valanciunas at both ends of the court. Should JV approach a double-double before the first quarter is over, Gortat will be sitting in favour of some variant of a small Wizards lineup.

More from Raptors Rapture

• Scottie Barnes talks Raptors expectations after bumpy 2022-23
• Raptors’ Dennis Schroder completes Cinderella story, wins FIBA World Cup with Germany
• 3 players Raptors could replace OG Anunoby with at trade deadline
• NBA insider praises Raptors’ hiring of “star” Darko Rajakovic
• Raptors fans will love Markquis Nowell’s insane confidence on Instagram

Ian Mahinmi backs up Gortat, and provided respectable play in Game 2. He’s not been known for consistency in his career. Mike Scott has been the best Wizards big man, though he’s not much of a paint presence.

The Raptors won’t decide on Fred VanVleet’s availability until late today. He hasn’t been missed, as Delon Wright has rendered excellent work. Wright’s game has developed nicely in recent months. Instead of using his length and excellent anticipation to provide solid defense, but not much offensive pop, he’s penetrating well and hitting 3-balls.

The Wiz need Bradley Beal and Otto Porter Jr. to make buckets in order to take pressure off John Wall. However, the Raptors have made life miserable for those two, leaving Wall to take on the offensive load. That can be mitigated should Kyle Lowry starting making some scoring noise, particularly in transition. The old saying is still valid: if you want to slow down the other team’s best offensive player, make him play defense.

3 keys to victory

1. Get points from everyone. The Raptors had 10 players hit the scoresheet on Tuesday night. Eight of them made at least one 3-ball. The Wizards have great difficulty matching that degree of offensive distribution.
2. Keep pounding away inside. JV is capable of both scoring and passing. If he gets foul-prone Gortat into difficulty early, then DeMar DeRozan can attack with impunity. An opposing center who has to sit is like the gift that keeps on giving.
3. Continue the “switch everything” tactic on D. Even if the result is Lowry covering Markieff Morris, our point guard is tough enough not to back down. The payoff is considerable, as there should always be a lengthy defender (OG Anunoby, Serge Ibaka) switched onto a Wizards shooter.

Prediction

Calling a result in this game is problematic, because we just don’t know how Washington is going to allocate playing time. Are we likely to see Ty Lawson getting major minutes? Probably, but which Wizards rotation man is forced to sit? Can Mike Scott continue his hot shooting? If not, can he defend well enough to stay on the floor anyway?

One thing that’s been consistent so far – the Raptors have put the biscuit in the basket. Let’s go with that.

Toronto 122 – Washington 115