Washington Wizards: For Wizards, Raptors still plan on shooting a lot of threes in Game 2
For Game 2, the Washington Wizards cannot take their eyes off the Raptors known-and-unknown shooters.
After the Washington Wizards dropped Game 1 to the Toronto Raptors, it may not be back to the drawing board for Game 2. However, one of the reasons for the loss was the Wizards inability to defend the three-point line.
The Wizards kept their eyes on DeMar DeRozan, allowing him to kick it out to open players, who knocked down threes.
As I wrote on Monday:
"“While they were paying attention to DeRozan, he kicked it out and assisted on all of Serge Ibaka‘s three-pointers.DeRozan basically said, I’m going to continue to have all eyes on me, so why not kick it out to OG Anunoby for an open-three as well.”"
It’s unlikely that the Wizards will make that mistake again, taking their eyes off known and unknown open-shooters.
But it’s also unlikely that the Raptors will stop shooting a barrage of threes.
Because in today’s Toronto Sun, coach Dwane Casey had this to say:
"” We got to take ’em. That’s who we are. That’s what our offence is predicated on. If we are going to play that style of play, it’s a make or miss league and we got to live with what comes our way. I think we have done that most of the year.”"
How should the Wizards counter the Raptors’ offense? First, the Wizards aren’t going to beat a team in a shootout, so it starts with defense.
That means staying on their man, while also keeping their eyes on the ball. That was a complete shell game the Raptors ran on Washington. All eyes were locked on DeRozan and Kyle Lowry, when they no longer even had the ball.
Secondly, after staying in a defensive mindset, Otto Porter has to be utilized more. He is not the Wizards secret weapon. He is their weapon.
Porter only had 9 points in 32-minutes of play on Saturday. There’s no two ways about it, the ball has to be in his hands more. The Wizards can’t return home down 0-2.
Third, comment away, but Ramon Sessions has to play. He knows how to get to the free throw line. Don’t let the Raptors get comfortable running up and down the floor with impunity.
He will help slow down the pace. It doesn’t have to be quality minutes, but there should be some minutes. Although Sessions may not be a “superstar”, he knows how to get those “superstar” calls.
Finally, in the fourth quarter it’s okay to take “singles”. No need for Hail Mary threes unless absolutely necessary. Also, why not use Porter as a decoy out on the perimeter. Fight fire with fire.