The Washington Wizards failed to record their second consecutive road victory this season over the Toronto Raptors, falling 100-91.
The Washington Wizards failed to record their second consecutive road victory this season over the Toronto Raptors, falling 100-91. The Wizards were again without All-Star point guard John Wall, who sat out his second game of the season with knee soreness. Tim Frazier once again started in his place.
The Wizards had no answers for DeMar DeRozan, who had 33 points, connecting on 15 of his 26 shots from the field.
This loss came down to the Wizards inability to execute offensively in the final quarter. They entered the quarter trailing by three, but could only muster 15 points, hitting four field goals in the period. Here are the three takeaways.
The Wizards Really Missed Wall
In the first matchup between these two teams the Wizards were able to ride the hot hand of Bradley Beal who had 38 points on 16-26 shooting.
Sunday he got off to a great start scoring 23 points in the first half. But he was just 2-8 thanks to the Raptors adjustment. Toronto realized that with Frazier on the floor, and as a virtual non-threat offensively, they could load up on Beal with little fear of being hurt by Frazier. They cheated off of him and knew when they recovered to Frazier, to close out under control, because he’s not the playmaker that Wall is.
Wall might not be the best shooter, but his mere presence on the floor opens up so much for the Wizards offensively. The Raptors suffocated the Wizards in the fourth and won the game with their defense.
A game to forget for Kelly Oubre Jr.
Kelly Oubre has been a huge bright spot off an otherwise lifeless Wizards bench. However, his game against the Raptors, will be one he will want to forget. His offensive numbers weren’t bad, 10 points on 2-for-7 shooting. But, his awareness throughout the game left a lot to be desired.
Oubre was out of position numerous times on the defensive end. One instance fouling Raptors forward C.J. Miles on a three-point attempt, which he made leading to a crushing four-point play in the fourth quarter.
Kelly Oubre was 2-3 from the field on the catch-and-shoot variety, but was 0-4 when trying to create his own shot off of the dribble.
— Alan Jenkins (@AJenks24) November 19, 2017
Also, when the Wizards bench needed someone to step up in the fourth quarter, Oubre looked lost. He had a turnover and a wild missed shot, in a sequence where a basket would have done wonders for the confidence of the second unit. Oubre is a young player, who will have his share of ups and downs. Luckily, he can look to put this one quickly behind him Monday night.
The Wizards Didn’t Take Advantage of the Free Throw Line
On the season, the Wizards have been pretty good from the charity stripe. They have been top 10 in free throw percentage this season, and it has helped them win ball games.
Sunday in Toronto they struggled. They got to the line 21 times which is good, but only converted 12 of them, shooting 57 percent. If you’re going to win on the road without your best player, you have to knock down your free throws. The Wiz did not and it cost them. In a somewhat surprising statistic, Beal didn’t get to the line at all and it wasn’t for a lack of trying.
On Monday, the Wizards continue their road trip, taking on the Milwaukee Bucks in their second game of a back-to-back.