It’s a great time to be a Raptors fan. In what was easily their best game of the season, the Raptors beat the Wizards 103-84 on a night that felt electric from the get-go.
The Raps, who were giving up almost 30 first quarter points a game coming in, came out very active on both ends, forcing the Wizards into a number of long twos early and holding them to 18 points on 8-of-26 shooting in the opening period. Offensively, Derozan and Ross set the tone connecting on a combined 7-of-10 shots for 18 of the team’s 28 first quarter points. Ross, who opened the game with a 3, was especially impressive going 3-for-3 behind the arc for the quarter. The Raptors didn’t just shoot well; they also created a number of scoring opportunities off of penetration, including two easy baskets for Amir off of dump off passes.
The second unit held down the fort for almost 4 minutes to start the second period. Lou Williams looked very comfortable as the second unit’s primary offensive weapon, finishing with a team leading nine points in the quarter, including an and-1 three from the corner.
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Also Read: Quick Reaction with GIFs
Listen To: Post-Game Podcap – Wizards at Raptors
Derozan continued to let the game come to him, finishing a perfect 2-for-2 from the field and 4-for4 from the free throw line. For the half Derozan finished with 15 points on 5-of-7 shooting. Kyle Lowry, who didn’t take his first shot until 4:20 to go in the second quarter, ended the half with seven assists and 5 rebounds. Defensively the Raptors were once again locked in, holding the Wizards to 17 points in the quarter and 35 points on 27.9% shooting for the half. This is especially impressive considering the Raptors allowed 35 points in the first quarter against Boston a game earlier. Below you see the Wizard less than impressive shot chart from the first half.
The Wizards, down 24 at the half, came out fighting in the third by going on an 8-0 run early in the quarter. Lowry showed that he is one of the best floor leaders in the league by responding with a 7-2 run of his own, pulling the Raptor’s lead once again above 20.
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The Raptors lost Amir in the third to a pre-existing ankle injury. He did not return but he stressed after the game that he did not reinjure the ankle and he expects to play in the next game.
Things were pretty sloppy in the 4th and the Wizards climbed back to within 16 points before Casey reinserted the starters midway through the quarter. The only positive was that this enabled Lowry to collect his fifth triple double his career on an assisted Patterson three with 1:14 left in the game. A wild Raptors crowd closed out the game with a very loud “Let’s Go Raptors!” chant, capping an awesome night of Raptors basketball.
A couple of other random thoughts on the game:
- Jonas still clearly has a bad taste in his mouth from when Gortat torched him for 31 points and 12 rebounds in a 134-129 triple overtime loss to the Wizards in their final meeting of the 2013-14 season. Jonas looked downright angry most of the night. I thought he channeled the energy well, finishing with 9 points and 9 rebounds in 28 hard fought minutes.
- The only minor gripes I have about the game were that the Raps allowed 16 offensive rebounds for the second straight game. Also, they were actually a little too pass happy on some of their drives when they forced drop off passes instead of taking the easier shot. Ross was especially guilty of this, but his ability to get past defenders tonight was awesome.
- Lowry is just SO good at picking his moments and leading this basketball team.
- Really nice job on both ends for Demar. Nothing was forced and it was an all-around top notch performance from one of the best shooting guards in the league.
