Toronto Raptors: 3 keys to W over Washington Wizards

The Toronto Raptors are home to face the Wizards, whose season isn’t going well. However, led by their excellent backcourt, they can score. Here’s a preview.

The Toronto Raptors have returned to the friendly confines of the Scotiabank Arena, after a successful road trip. The only blemish in four outings was a galling OT defeat in Boston.

Tonight’s opposition is the Team Turmoil of the moment, the Washington Wizards. Now that the Jimmy Butler saga is over, and the Minnesota Timberwolves have faded from the spotlight, the disappointing Wizards are all over the trade press.

Washington kept most of its roster from last season, with the exception of saying an unfond farewell to center Marcin Gortat. His place was taken by career underachiever Dwight Howard, who’s been kind enough to drop in for nine of his team’s 17 games. He’s listed as day to day with yet another injury, so it’s anyone’s guess as to whether he’ll be on the floor.

Otto Porter‘s presence is likewise not guaranteed. He was signed to a monster deal over the summer, but isn’t coming close to paying for himself. His deep shooting is worse than his career norm, which may be grounds for cautious optimism among Wiz fans.

However, the Wiz will need more than improved performances (or appearances, anyway) from those two if they are going to dig themselves out of the 6-11 hole they are in. Trade chatter swirls around the talented backcourt of John Wall and Bradley Beal. They both can score, though their defense has often been questioned.

Poor defense means losses

That charge should be applied to the whole squad. The Wiz rank 28th in points allowed with 116.9 per game [PG]. They sit 27th in rebounds. Their 41.2 PG puts them nearly 5 behind the Raptors.

Washington’s bench isn’t much to brag about. Austin Rivers has a shocking PER of 6.3, yet coach Scott Brooks has him out there for 22.6 minutes PG. Ian Mahinmi is talked about as another trade candidate, but he’s getting over $15 million this season and next. I think you might be able to find 4.3 points PG at a slightly lower rate elsewhere.

And yet – they roared back against a strong Los Angeles Clippers team to wipe out a 24-point lead and grab a win on Tuesday night. Reports of Washington’s demise may be premature. It’s certainly not Guaranteed Win Night.

3 keys to Raptors victory

1. Play throwback ball. Get the rock down low, and let our big men do some business. If Howard plays, he’ll likely block some shots. Oh well. That’s a cost of doing business. If the Raptors feature a balanced attack, our whole roster will put up healthy numbers. Jonas Valanciunas and Serge Ibaka are more than capable of wearing out whoever plays center, with scoring, rebounding and passing.
2. Switch everything on D. The Wizards have shooters who are capable of taking over a game if they get some room. Put another way, they aren’t winning this game on points in the paint. Call the picks, and make the switches.
3. Don’t let up. Double digit leads aren’t so formidable in a 3-point world.

Prediction

On the assumption the Raptors will be at, or very near, full strength, I’m calling for an offensive outburst.

Toronto Raptors 125 – Washington Wizards 111

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Candace Buckner says Howard is OUT tonight. Take that for what it’s worth.