Wiz of Awes
Fansided

Washington Wizards Collapse Late Against Toronto Raptors

By Ben Mehic

Mar 3, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) shoots the ball over Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) in the second quarter at Verizon Center. The Raptors won 114-106. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 3, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) shoots the ball over Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) in the second quarter at Verizon Center. The Raptors won 114-106. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Washington Wizards had momentum on their side, but couldn’t put together a consistent game against the Toronto Raptors at home on Friday.

Coming off wins against the Golden State Warriors at home and Toronto Raptors on the road, the Washington Wizards had tangible momentum heading into Friday’s rematch against Toronto.

After a back-and-forth first quarter, the Wizards saw their second unit squander a small lead. Brandon Jennings made his debut with the team, but Scott Brooks‘ bench still struggled to generate offense.

Quickly, the Raptors took advantage of the Wizards’ offensive struggles and put together a 19-point advantage.

Behind John Wall, Bradley Beal and Otto Porter‘s efforts, the Wizards managed to complete a comeback in the fourth quarter, gaining an advantage of their own.

Wall scored 14 points in the first quarter and finished with 30 points. Bradley Beal added 27 points and Porter scored 18.

More from Wiz of Awes

The front court, though, was nonexistent, forcing the

Wizards’ offense to become predictable.

Morris scored 11 points on 13 attempts and picked up another technical foul late in the game, which helped ruin the Wizards’ run.

Marcin Gortat had just 6 points and 6 rebounds.

For the first time this season, Ian Mahinmi actually looked like someone who could replace Gortat in the lineup. Mahinmi gave the team a lift in the fourth quarter, scoring back-to-back tip in baskets.

Ultimately, though, the Wizards were too reliant on their backcourt plus Porter.

Washington’s bench scored just 14 points. Bojan Bogdanovic, in particular, couldn’t find his rhythm. He scored 27 points on Wednesday against Toronto, but the Raptors did a solid job of contesting his looks on Friday.

P.J. Tucker, whom the Raptors acquired before the NBA Trade Deadline, used his physical style of play to negate Bogdanovic’s production.

DeMar DeRozan sealed the Raptors’ win with a 3-point shot with just seconds remaining on the clock. Washington had trimmed the lead to three, needing one more stop, but were incapable of getting it when they needed it most.

For the Washington Wizards to make a serious run in the postseason, they’re going to need the bench – that’s now led by Jennings – to score. Mahinmi, Bogdanovic and Kelly Oubre are all competent defenders, but that becomes irrelevant when scoring droughts derail momentum.

It’ll take some time for Jennings to become accustomed to Brooks’ system and the front court is allowed to have a forgettable game every once in a while. Really, this loss, even with Kyle Lowry being out, shouldn’t be too concerning for Washington.

Next: How Jennings Will Help the Wizards

Washington will continue their homestand on Sunday against the lowly Orlando Magic.

Home/Wizards News