Toronto Raptors’ defence appears destined to fail them against Washington Wizards | National Post
Whether or not the Raptors are trying — it says here that they are putting in the effort, if not exercising the necessary discipline to turn it into something productive — is one thing. However, the Raptors appear to be a team without a foundation at the moment. That is the real worry. Just like in Game 1, this one turned in the second quarter. Kyle Lowry picked up his second and third fouls early in the quarter, leaving Vasquez and Lou Williams to defend John Wall and Bradley Beal. Predictably, it did not go well. Transition opportunities got the Wizards going, but the Raptors’ inability to slow Washington’s ascendant guards turned the game into a nightmare. The Raptors’ defence, so patchy during the year, always seemed destined to fail them in the post-season. That the Wizards could exploit them to this disagree just felt unlikely.
Raptors dig deeper hole vs. Wizards: Arthur | Toronto Star
There were no adjustments that worked, no schemes to fix it, nobody who could drag them through. The Wizards offence ranked 25th in the league after the all-star break, and they had 97 points after three quarters. The Wizards went 17-23 in the second half of the season. The Wizards made the Raptors look like punks. The franchise has steeped itself in nostalgia in its 20th season — if you played and people remember you, you probably got honoured. Damon Stoudamire was on TSN Radio Tuesday, talking fondly about his time here before mentioning he was here as a promotional thing with Swiffer, whose products he basically admitted he had never used. Still, hey, brand awareness. That’s what the Raptors have built, as much as anything: brand awareness. Drake, the Square, division titles in a time of Atlantic Division cholera. You know what the problem was with Masai Ujiri’s red-meat moment before Game 1? It wasn’t the profanity. It was that when he said, “We don’t give a s— about ‘it’,” that wasn’t the truth. As the general manager of this team, that’s exactly what he cares about. He wants to achieve escape velocity from the past. Last season, the Raptors had to race to figure out what the hell they were up against. This year, it’s a race to try to overcome exactly what they are.
Raptors down 2-0 in playoff series after blowout loss against Wizards | Toronto Sun
Without Lowry every facet of the Raptors game seemed to fall apart. When he departed they owned a six-point lead. By the time he returned to start the third quarter the Wizards had outscored Toronto 31-14 and taken an 11-point edge. “Yeah, for me it sucks because I’m trying to help my teammates, trying to be more physical and play playoff basketball, but I keep getting fouls. It’s really holding me back from being out there with my team.” And there’s no question he is being missed. “It’s tough to lose Kyle in both games to foul trouble,” DeMar DeRozan said. “To not have your point guard, that we are accustomed to having at a certain time in the rotation, was definitely tough.” There was a brief moment of hope early in the third when the Raptors came out and erased the bulk of an 11-point deficit in a hurry, pulling to within two. Terrence Ross, who did not have a single make from three-point land in six attempts in Game 1, got his second and third in those early moments of the final half to get the crowd back in it. But that moment of belief that the worst was behind the Raptors was gone as quickly as it arrived.
Wizards hungrier than Raptors in Game 2 | Toronto Star
When it comes to the ball that was played at the Air Canada Centre Tuesday night, it was Wall and his backcourt linemate Bradley Beal who lit things up. Though they started out soft, the Wizards sprang into the lead in the waning minutes of the first half, riding the efficient attacks of their starting guards. Wall chalked up a double-double in assists and points by halftime, while Beal was well on his way to finishing with a game-high 28 points. “They think that we’re some punks,” Beal reportedly said in an on-court interview at halftime. “They think they can push around. But we’re not rolling.” That passion showed down the stretch. The Wizards kept rolling through Toronto’s lacklustre defence, collectively shooting more than 50 per cent on their field goals, a tally that included 10 three-pointers.
Another poor outing for Raptors’ Lowry | Toronto Sun
Lowry had said all the right things after his brutal Game 1 performance, but his follow-up was equally troubling and was a major reason why the Raptors fell into a 2-0 hole to the Washington Wizards, one that only four of 59 teams have rallied back from since 2003. When nearly everything was rolling for the Raptors early on in this one, Lowry was the lone concern, because he was again making poor decisions with the ball, forcing the issue too much. But it got much worse. Lowry got mildly jobbed on an early foul call against John Wall, was completely ripped off when Bradley Beal tripped on his own two feet, then picked up a legit third by being out of position. Being out of position, because he was again gambling too often defensively, put the team Lowry is supposed to carry in huge trouble. Instead of playing smarter, knowing the referees were calling everything, Lowry gambled and had to sit for a long stretch. He knew it too.
Wizards hungrier than Raptors in Game 2 | Toronto Star
When it comes to the ball that was played at the Air Canada Centre Tuesday night, it was Wall and his backcourt linemate Bradley Beal who lit things up. Though they started out soft, the Wizards sprang into the lead in the waning minutes of the first half, riding the efficient attacks of their starting guards. Wall chalked up a double-double in assists and points by halftime, while Beal was well on his way to finishing with a game-high 28 points. “They think that we’re some punks,” Beal reportedly said in an on-court interview at halftime. “They think they can push around. But we’re not rolling.” That passion showed down the stretch. The Wizards kept rolling through Toronto’s lacklustre defence, collectively shooting more than 50 per cent on their field goals, a tally that included 10 three-pointers.
Raptors have no answer for Wall, Wizards | Toronto Sun
The Wizards backcourt would dominate, Toronto’s transition and perimeter defence exposed, stretches when shots weren’t dropping, long stretches when Washington would make shot after shot. Washington showed its mettle, recovering from an early 10-point hole, ultimately putting the Raptors into a 0-2 series hole. Anyone believing this outcome wasn’t possible should kick themselves, the Raptors-centric base losing sight of how efficient and excellent these Wizards were in last spring’s post-season when they legitimately had a chance to play Miami in the Eastern final. When Paul Pierce said the Raptors didn’t have the it factor, he was right. Washington doesn’t exactly have it either, but there’s potential because of Wall. Just ask the Raptors.
Lowry drop-off dooms Raptors in Game 2 dud: Feschuk | Toronto Star
Here’s the grim numerical truth about Toronto’s best player. He’s 5-for-20 from the field in the series. In two games he has scored fewer points (13) than Wizards guard Bradley Beal scored in Tuesday’s second quarter alone (16). Lowry, too, has racked up more personal fouls (10) than he has assists (eight). And here’s what that means for the Raptors: Unless a better, more menacing Lowry emerges for Games 3 and 4 in Washington on Friday and Sunday, Toronto’s second playoff run in as many seasons is going to be a short one. “He’s just trying to get back into the groove (after the late-season back injury), and he’s struggling,” Casey said of Lowry in the pall of a post-game press conference. “I know Kyle’s not going to say, ‘Hey, it’s my back,’ or, ‘I’m struggling getting back in the groove, getting my rhythm back.’ But that’s the difference.” There are those around the team who’ll tell you it’s not as simple as that; that Lowry, though he has clearly been set back by injury, hasn’t dealt well with the pressures of his first all-star campaign; that he’s a tightly wound individual still figuring out how to navigate life as a marquee guy. And certainly it’s never just about the statistics when it comes to Toronto’s best player — although that argument is difficult to make after a night when Wizards counterpart John Wall rampaged to a 26-point, 17-assist masterpiece.
Raptors guards not getting it done against Wizards counterparts | Toronto Sun
Washington shot 64% in the second quarter, 52.3% in the first half … First-half stats: The Raptors’ starting lineup was outscored by Washington 53-24 … It didn’t get better in the third quarter, with Washington putting up 37 points in its highest-scoring stanza … James Johnson got a standing ovation and seven minutes and seven seconds of playing time in the first half. The ovation was nice: Johnson’s presence did little to change the Raptors’ fortunes. He didn’t play in the second half … The Raptors will only go as far as Lowry and DeRozan take them: Neither scored a point in the second quarter. Lowry had two first-half points and spent a good deal of time on the bench in foul trouble. Lowry made just two baskets after scoring only seven points in Game 1… TSN analyst Jack Armstrong on playoff basketball: “It’s a man’s game this time of year.” … The Golden State backcourt of Steph Curry and Klay Thompson is averaging 51.5 points a game for the impressive Warriors. DeRozan and Lowry have averaged just more than 20 points combined through two home games … The Raptors came unglued in the third quarter, down 15 points when coach Dwane Casey was called for a technical foul. It wasn’t a good night for the coach or his team.
Raptors do little right in dropping second straight to Wizards | Toronto Star
“I thought we did a little bit better on the boards tonight but I see us getting knocked down going to the basket, I don’t see their guys hitting the floor,” Casey said. “I see them waltzing in, waving at us and laughing at us going to the basket and I don’t see us (knocking anyone down). “That’s what I challenged the team after the game. We’ve got to make sure we hit somebody and make it count . . . Don’t want to hurt anybody or play dirty but we have to match their physicality in the paint, going to the basket, going for easy buckets, that’s what playoff basketball is about.” It is hard to say which facet of the game Toronto failed greater at.
Lowry struggles as Raptors dig themselves hole | TSN
For the second straight game, Lowry was largely ineffective, struggling to stay on the floor long enough to make an impact once again. He picked up his second foul of the night just two and a half minutes into the second quarter. 10 seconds later he was whistled for his third. The Raptors were up by six when Lowry parked himself on the bench, they had led by as many as 10. At least one of the calls was highly questionable. Lowry wasn’t happy. Casey, who picked up a rare technical foul later in the game, opted to withhold comment on the officiating and save his money after the loss. By intermission, Lowry had accumulated as many fouls as points (nine) through the first six quarters of this series. “I guess [I was] trying to play physically,” he said after finishing with six points on 3-of-10 shooting in 27 minutes. “But I guess I shouldn’t play as physical as I want to.” “For me it sucks because I’m trying to help my teammates, trying to be more physical and play playoff basketball, but I keep getting fouls. It’s really holding me back from being out there with my team.” It went from bad to worse midway through the fourth quarter when Lowry was forced from the game with a shin contusion – he’ll be re-evaluated on Wednesday.
Bradley Beal, John Wall lead Wizards to commanding series lead against Raptors | The Washington Post
“We got to run through the finish line,” said Pierce, who tallied 10 points. “Sometimes we get a big lead, and it’s like the tortoise and the hare, just gets to messing around and chilling on the sideline. We got to run through the finish line. Simple and plain.”
Youth Will Be Served: Wall, Beal and Porter Claim The North | Truth About It
When Kyle Lowry… picked up his second and third fouls within 10 seconds of each other just under three minutes into the second quarter and was subsequently provided a seat, the Raptors had a six-point lead. Washington then went on a 31-14 run to end the first half up 60-49. Everyone in, on, and around Toronto knew that Lowry needed to have a bounce-back game in the worst way for Toronto to succeed, and him having to sit was demoralizing, compounded by the fact that Greivis Vasquez replaced him on defense versus John Wall & Co. When Paul Pierce… was inserted at the 4-spot for the second time in as many playoff games with 8:35 left in the second quarter (this time replacing Drew Gooden), the Wizards were down four points, 35-31. Two Lou Williams free throws queued up before the timeout gave Toronto a 37-31 lead. The Wizards then went on a 27-12 run with Pierce at the 4 until the 56 second mark in the second quarter when Gooden was subbed back in. Nene spent about five minutes at the 5, Gortat spent just under three minutes there; Washington made 11-of-14 field goals to 5-of-10 from Toronto. These two events just about coincided. All but four of Washington’s points in that 31-14 run came with Pierce at the 4. So what more determined the game? Neither. It was Bradley Beal, who went 6-for-7 from the field with 13 points over the last nine minutes of the second quarter (16 total points in the period). Randy Wittman’s offense knew that it had exactly what it needed to win the game, a different, non-#PandaRange Big Panda (which is Beal’s nickname, in case you didn’t know). Beal went 4-for-4 at the basket during that stretch and 7-for-11 over the course of the night en route to a game-high (and playoff-high) 28 points.
Washington Wizards Dominate Toronto Raptors In Game-2 | Wiz of Awes
Beal not only got to the basket in transition, but he did his best James Harden impression in the half-court, finding lanes to the rim all game long. Besides a few shots in the first quarter, Beal didn’t settle for many midrange jumpers tonight. Instead, he made the most of each possession, scoring 20 points in the first half. After a miserable performance in Game-1, we all expected Wall and Beal to play well tonight, but I don’t think anyone could have predicted what happened tonight. Wall knocked down midrange shots, pull up threes, and made some ridiculous passes en route to the best playoff game of his career.
Wizards vs. Raptors final score: Washington wins 117-106, takes 2-0 series lead | Bullets Forever
John Wall and Bradley Beal combined to have a bit of a dud performance in Game 1, combining to go 11-41 from the field. And from the start of things in Game 2, it looked like they could be on track for more of the same in Game 2 as they settled for some bad jumpers early as the Raptors took control early. When they reentered the game in the second quarter, they went on the type of run fans envisioned when the Wizards drafted Beal to play alongside Wall. John Wall was getting wherever he wanted on the court and hitting tough shots, finishing with 26 points and 17 assists. He was a force on the defensive end as well. If you’re looking for a six second sequence that summed up his night, here you go:
Recap: Raptors implode in every way possible, Wizards win Game 2, 117-106 | Raptors HQ
The final says 117-106, but it may as well have been a 20-30 point deficit. The Raptors could not play defense, could not get rebounds, and despite hitting shots, could not produce enough of an efficient offense to hurt the Wizards. Wall and Beal, playing like the best backcourt in the East, finished with 26 points-17 assists and 28 points, respectively. While DeRozan and Williams finished with 20 points each, it was not enough. And poor Kyle Lowry, hounded all night by defenders and… something (expectations?), was forced to watch another game slip away from the bench, an injury taking him off the court this time. The Raptors look dead. And now we expect them to lose. It’s funny how those things turn so quickly.
Game Rap: Raptors 106 Wizards 117 | Toronto Raptors
“It started off with transition and not getting back. The bigs not protecting the rim nearly as good as we should have. Communication on the offensive end, just talking to make sure we close out. A couple of lapses as far as communicating on ball screens. The guards pushing them one way and the bigs caught on another way. Lack of being in the same page in that area. Just so many little things, but I think the most important thing was transition.” – Patrick Patterson
Wizards dominate, Toronto Raptors fall to 0-2 in series
Offense: C Let me get the positives out of the way. DeMar DeRozan was strong early on (nine points in the first quarter, before finishing with 20, going 9 for 18 from the field), Patrick Patterson provided a spark off the bench (15 points, perfect 6 for 6), James Johnson actually played, and the Raptors got to the charity stripe 32 times (although they only converted 21). That’s about it. The middle quarters of this game were atrocious. Credit needs to be given to the Wizards— they really dug in defensively and made the Raptors uncomfortable following the hot start from the field. Toronto didn’t adjust, after before we could blink twice, the Raptors – who led by five after the opening frame – were down 60-49 at halftime.
2015 NBA playoffs – Injuries taking big toll on Kyle Lowry of Toronto Raptors | ESPN
This is arguable when all things are equal; in truth, there isn’t much difference between these teams. But things are not equal right now. John Wall and Bradley Beal are whipping Kyle Lowry, DeMar DeRozan and Lou Williams. In a series that was going to be defined by guard play, it’s not a fair fight. It will be interesting to see what Lowry says about his health when he feels he can be totally honest, whenever that might be. Whether it’s the day the Raptors clean out their lockers — and that day could be approaching quickly — or it’s in training camp next fall, it seems possible he’s going to tell a tale of how much his back is affecting him at this highly inopportune time. He’s is talking a good game, saying before Game 2 that “I feel great, I’m here kicking,” but his play is saying something different. It has been for a while now; it’s truly not a surprise. And without their bulldog point guard able to engage full scale with Wall, the Raptors are just outclassed. Lowry is a shell of his normal self, the vicious and relentless basket-attacker with an angry streak that turned him into this franchise’s player.
“I think the difference in the game was [John] Wall hitting his threes,” Casey said. “Beal came off his pin downs and knocked his shots down, even his threes. They were four-for-nine between them and once they saw the ball go in the hole I thought that was the difference, and got us spaced out a little more.” The odds are now stacked heavily against the Raptors, who will play Game 3 in Washington Friday. According to an article by Sportsnet’s Michael Grange, teams who’ve fallen behind 2-0 at home to open a seven-game series have gone on to win the series just three times in 29 tries. If this series finishes with the Raptors on the losing end, there will certainly be plenty of questions around what went wrong for a team that had such a promising start to the season. And like it or not, there will be no shortage of those pointing fingers at coach Casey. And laying a portion of the blame at the coach’s feet wouldn’t be unwarranted either.
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