Wiz of Awes
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Washington Wizards vs. Toronto Raptors Running Diary: Game One

By Nithin Kuchibhotla

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Ladies and gentlemen – this is a Wiz of Awes first in my estimation. I’ll be writing a retro-diary chronicle of Game 1 of the Washington Wizards vs. Toronto Raptors 1st round Eastern Conference Playoff series!

Everyone in Toronto is fired up and everyone in Washington is either at the Nationals game or pregaming the Usher concert.

Let’s get going!

12:34: I was worried I’d be late to the start of the game, even though I had absolutely no prior obligations but I’m seated and ready for tip. Just made lunch (grilled chicken, green beans) with the idea that eating healthy now will compensate for depressed snacking later in the day after a potential Washington Wizards loss.

12:39: Oh my god, they just panned to the crowd OUTSIDE the stadium in Toronto; at a location known as Jurassic Park. Consider me intimidated.

12:41: Just to update the readers out there, I’ll be watching Furious 7 for the 2nd time immediately following this game. Nothing can either keep my adrenaline going or pick me up quite like Dom Torretto.

12:43: My roommate Vishal just offered me a beer. He said I can have any brew I want as long as it’s a Corona. I think he’s more excited for the movie (forgive him, he’s a Bulls fan).

12:44: I don’t like this crowd. It’s too loud. This chant about Paul Pierce is just mean! Someone take me back to Verizon Center.

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12:48: Slow start for the good guys. Everyone seems a little jumpy. Missing wide open shots that you hope will eventually fall.

12:51: Marcin Gortat just whistled for his 2nd foul on a questionable call on the baseline. It’s Drew Gooden time folks.

As a continual reminder, this is the 2015 Playoffs and yet Gooden continues to play an important role in our lives.

12:56: I think John Wall went out last night with Jose Bautista.

12:57: Nene is back to his old playoff tricks, crushing the Raptors on the glass and getting his share of buckets as well. Rest of the team needs to pick it up though or this could be a long game.

1:04: Gooden looks totally clueless trying to track down Patrick Patterson. It’s almost as if the Washington Wizards have had issues all season defending the stretch 4.

1:06: After Wall had a ridiculous slash and kick ending in a missed 3 by Gooden, he then covers Gooden’s butt defensively and blocks Lowry’s shot as time expires in the 1st quarter. 23-19 Toronto after 1. Someone please get Wall better teammates and a better coach.

1:12: Not enough has been made about the fact that the Wizards are now an NBATV Playoff team. Especially after last year’s marquee matchup vs. Chicago, this is a steep fall from grace. I blame Ernie Grunfeld.

1:14: Frenetic pace going on right now, ending with Gooden actually running away from the basket with the ball. This must be some type of anti-analytics stand that Wittman is taking.

1:17: Remaining group of friends has arrived. A viewing party to watch the Washington Wizards struggle on offense and the Raptors fans explode after every dribble may have been a bad decision.

1:20: Every fan of the Wizards, basketball, and civilization wants John Calipari to just get up and start coaching this team.

1:25: I always get upset that Wizards players are never in the NBA Cares commercials. WE HELP OUT IN THE COMMUNITY TOO.

1:28: Refs are not allowing a whole lot of physicality right now. This bodes poorly for the Washington Wizards because most of their guys have no other plan when defending other than to body up their opponent.

1:29: Key development for the Wizards is the move to Pierce at the power forward with Wall-Beal-Porter-Gortat. Allows them so much more flexibility on both ends of the floor.

1:31: THE TRUTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1:36: We somehow managed to not score on a 3 on 1 but Porter gets fouled by Lowry and is heading to the line for 2. Love the energy in this 2nd quarter. Cannot let down after halftime.

1:39: Washington Wizards up 46-42 at halftime after a lackluster first 12 minutes. Pretty incredible result given that Wall and Beal have only combined for 7 total points thus far. Pierce leads the way with 10 and Nene had 8. The Raptors also have somewhat random players leading them in scoring with Patrick Patterson at 10 and Amir Johnson at 8.

1:45: In other news, we’re starting to drink a little more heavily to A. get prepped for FF7 and B. cope with the inevitable 2nd half meltdown. I’m bored of Doug Collins and Jalen Rose. What’s the Nats score?

1:57: We’re underway in the 2nd half and Paul Pierce seems to have injured his neck. Scary situation on our hands, looks like he took a shot from Jonas Valanciunas on a screen. Let’s pray he’s ok.

2:01: Wall starting to wheel and deal a bit here in the 3rd quarter. Meanwhile DeRozan continues his share of terrible mid-range jumpers. He and Wittman are really destined to be united one day.

2:04: Looks like all the Raptors fans left at halftime to catch a flight to Coachella to go watch Drake perform. Much quieter in the 2nd half and the Wizards are humming along on the offensive end.

2:10: Wall’s defensive effort tonight is really impressive. He’s been checking Lowry, DeRozan, and Lou Williams at various times today and has acquitted himself nicely.

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2:12: DeRozan spent his few days off taking acting classes from the DeGrassi crew. And the refs just award him an Oscar. Damn it all.

2:15: Quick 6-0 run by the Raptors and it’s now a 5 point game. Someone tell Wall this game is about one thing and one thing only: getting buckets.

2:20: General consensus here that Klay Thompson is well-dressed. Also was discussed that apparently his parents controlled his finances the first couple years in his career, though that remains to be seen now that he’s inked that max contract.

2:23: In-game interviews with coaches remain the most useless exercise of televised games. Reporter essentially asks what needs to be done to win the game. Coaches respond with generic answer about effort, execution, and aggression.

2:25: Meanwhile, the Wizards have incredibly opened up a 14 point lead!!! The tide has turned completely since the 1st quarter and the Jurassic Park looks sadder than after the T-Rex’s tore through the land in the 2nd movie.

2:29: Lou Williams has been completely neutralized this game; just a measly 4 points from the likely Sixth Man of the Year on 2/9 shooting. Sucks to suck.

2:33: Full disclosure, I’m recovering from knee surgery right now so watching basketball still makes me a little queasy. Hate seeing guys go down because you always assume the worst. Glad Sessions is ok.

2:37: Vasquez hits a 3, followed by a big time Seraphin jumper. Lead is at 10, but life is getting precarious at the Air Canada Centre.

2:39: I won’t accept Wall has made it as an NBA star until he gets featured in the NBA Gametime app commercial. It’s got everyone else. Needs the Wall Star as well.

2:42: Can. Not. Type. Too. Much. Stress.

2:45: The Meltdown is underway. The 14 point lead that tasted so sweet just a few minutes ago is down to 2 after that Williams 3. I’ve applied like 18 different jinxes to the game via this diary but the one that really crushed us was calling out Skip To My Lou. I apologize.

2:50: 3 point game. I’m basically not breathing anymore. Ok Wall took it to the basket for the 1st time all game in the half court and extends it to 5. Just over 90 seconds left in this ballgame and it’s all up to the defense to close this one out and steal a game on the road. I’m going to cry either way, just please basketball gods let it be out of happiness.

2:54: The biggest play of the season just ended in a Drew Gooden long 2. Refs called the ball off Toronto but it’s very possible that gets switched to Washington’s possession.

With Lowry fouled out, it’s critical that Washington scores here to put the pressure on Toronto to try to make up too many points too quickly. I don’t even know what I’m saying. Just win baby, win.

2:58: We’re up to 5 minutes on the review and Steve Javie has finished telling his entire life story. Oh wait, update! Looks like Washington is getting the ball back and at the very least can milk another 24 seconds off the clock.

2:59: You’ve got to be &#$*&#$# kidding me. Beal takes a terrible shot because that was Wittman’s plan. Then he mysteriously falls down while Vasquez hits a 3 to tie things up at 82. 25 seconds left so in theory we should get the last shot but with Wittman this game could end in literally any fashion. Including a Drake vs. Wale rap battle.

3:02: Wizards had the worst net rating in the NBA in the 4th quarter. Today’s game has been Exhibit A-Z for that statistic.

3:03: Officially sick to my stomach. And it’s not the macaroni and cheese I just ate.

Raptors have 0.4 seconds left on the clock so they can catch and shoot. If you don’t hear from me again after this post, just wish me well, in this life or the next.

3:05: True story, Otto Porter literally almost tipped it into his own basket at the buzzer. At any rate, on we go into overtime.

No Kyle Lowry, but no Washington Wizards offense either.

3:11: Sorry I went AWOL for a moment. My friends had to resuscitate me after passing out from pure shock. Either way, the Wizards are up 5 and the Raptors haven’t scored in the overtime session. I don’t know what to think right now.

3:19: Wow, incredible play between Wall and Porter to come off the edge and find #22 cutting into the lane for an easy jump hook. Wizards now up 7 and might be on their way to a huge 1-0 lead in this series.

3:23: Wow, ESPN just gouged everyone’s eyes out with a graphic that shows Wall/Beal shooting at a 10/40 clip. Unbelievable that they will most likely pull this out with that kind of performance from their leading men.

3:27: And that’s all she wrote!

Washington wins, 93-86 in a hard-fought game that featured some truly horrific offense and lock-down D from start to finish. I would add some more concluding thoughts but I’m close to shutting down physically/emotionally/spiritually.

Plus…Furious 7. See you guys later, it’s been fun.

Next: Wizards 2014-2015 Season Review: By the Numbers

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