Toronto Raptors: 15 greatest NBA playoff moments

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Toronto Raptors – DeMar DeRozan (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

12. 2018 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals: Game 2 vs. Wizards

The 2018 NBA Playoffs were a rough time for the Raptors. However, early on, there was a fleeting moment of optimism. The Raptors took care of business in Game 1 and Game 2, with the latter being a thrilling 130-119 shootout.

The first quarter was an offensive explosion from both sides, but particularly the Raptors. Toronto shot 16-27 from the field, including 7-13 from beyond the arc. The Raptors scored 44 first-quarter points and put up an offensive rating of 151.7! After one quarter, the Raptors were up 17 points and looked in complete control.

The middle of the game was played pretty much even. With less than five minutes remaining in the third, Toronto was up 17 points and ready to put the game out of reach at any minute.

Washington wouldn’t allow for that to happen. Wizards point guard John Wall picked up his play and started attacking the rim with an intense ferocity. All of a sudden, with two-thirds of the fourth quarter remaining, it was a five-point game.

DeMar DeRozan and company responded. DeRozan put up 10 points in the final eight minutes, pulling away from the frisky Wizards for a final score, which looked less competitive than the game itself.

At the time, DeRozan was the subject of much postseason discussion. Was his new 3-point jumper going to translate to the postseason? Would his playoff troubles continue? He responded in this game with an impressive 37 points on 60-percent shooting, including 3-6 from downtown. At the time, it appeared as if he had turned the corner.