Wiz of Awes
Fansided

Washington Wizards: Wizards drop Game 1 to surging Ibaka and Raptors

By Jen Julie Smith

TORONTO, ON - APRIL 14: John Wall #2 of the Washington Wizards dribble spast Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors in the second quarter during Game One of the first round of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre on April 14, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - APRIL 14: John Wall #2 of the Washington Wizards dribble spast Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors in the second quarter during Game One of the first round of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre on April 14, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON – APRIL 14: Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors dribbles past Marcin Gortat #13 of the Washington Wizards in the first quarter during Game One of the first round of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre on April 14, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – APRIL 14: Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors dribbles past Marcin Gortat #13 of the Washington Wizards in the first quarter during Game One of the first round of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre on April 14, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /

DeRozan and Lowry

DeMar Derozan had 5 points, while Kyle Lowry only had 2 going into halftime.

However, DeRozan and Lowry combining for 7 points in the first half meant nothing. We’ve witnessed this backcourt come alive in the second half before.

Yet, Toronto’s backcourt could relax in the first half, because their bench took up the slack.

Thus, the Raptors duo were well-rested to start the second half.

Going into halftime OG Anunoby had 10 points, while Ibaka 14 points in 16 minutes.

The rest of the Raptors roster were also hot for the first half, allowing their backcourt time to warm up.

Since VanFleet was out, Delon Wright would get the nod to run the second unit. It appears he wasn’t on the Wizards radar.

Wright had 18 points in 25 minutes, shooting 7-for-10 from the field. He also lit up the 3-point line, 3-for-4.

Wall can’t relax like other guards

This is the only place where John Wall is at a severe disadvantage against all teams with an elite guard. Let alone this team which has two.

Whether Wall’s the best point guard in the East or not. That doesn’t matter when another elite guard can relax for the first half of a game, with their team taking up the slack.

While Wall is running on all cylinders the whole game.

The third quarter was like the first quarter in terms of energy for DeRozan and Lowry, because they “rested” the first half.

The Raptors backcourt would open up the third quarter in a big way.

DeRozan would knock down a three. Ibaka would follow behind with one of his own. Then Lowry would have one. Wizards would call timeout.

But it was a fight to the finish from that point. It was an old-fashioned shootout between these two teams.

One thing that the Wizards have learned is that they cannot beat a team in a shootout, especially with Otto Porter off his mark today.

They had to stop the Raptors at the three-point line and they were ineffective in doing so.

That’s why Mike Scott should start alongside Markieff Morris to help shore up the middle and help out on the perimeter.

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