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Washington Wizards: Wizards vs. Raptors Game Preview, New Battle Lines

By Jen Julie Smith

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 20: Head coach Dwane Casey of the Toronto Raptors talks with his team in the first half against the Washington Wizards during Game Three of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Capital One Arena on April 20, 2018 in Washington, DC. 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 Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 20: Head coach Dwane Casey of the Toronto Raptors talks with his team in the first half against the Washington Wizards during Game Three of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Capital One Arena on April 20, 2018 in Washington, DC. 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 Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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 On Friday, the Washington Wizards soundly beat the Raptors, 122-103, taking Game 3. For Game 4, and a chance to tie up the series, the Wizards are going to have to anticipate Toronto’s gameplan early on.

On Friday, the Washington Wizards soundly beat the Toronto Raptors, 122-103, taking Game 3 of the series. They also held the once surging Serge Ibaka to 3 points.

Raptors Coach Dwane Casey gave a measured response in his postgame presser. He praised the way the Wizards played physical, stating, ‘that’s how playoff basketball is supposed to be played’.

Casey’s high praise of the Wizards defense can be read here, in my analysis of that game.

But he also said something that provides s a glimpse into how the Raptors are going to play tonight. ‘The [refs] can’t call moving screens on one end of the court and not call on the other end.’

Marcin Gortat is the master of moving screens.

While CJ Miles was held to 9 points and only one 3-pointer. Could it be because Miles didn’t get more coverage from the other bigs and their backcourt to open the perimeter for him?

The Wizards defense won that game on Friday. With the Raptors turning the ball over 19 times using Casey’s numbers.

Casey summed up their Game 3 loss, “19 turnovers and [Wizards] shooting 55 percent that’s the ballgame”.

However, Casey added, some of those turnovers were “self-inflicted”.

Expect Kyle Lowry to protect the ball. He had 5 turnovers on Friday, leading all players in that category.

Then John Wall and Bradley Beal had 28 points apiece for a combined 56 points.

In Lowry’s own words, regarding the Wizards backcourt performance: “They are the heads of the snake, and we gotta cut them off.”

Also, expect Toronto’s backcourt to put in more of an effort to open up lanes for their teammates.

The Raptors are going to try to do what they do best and beat Washington in a shootout.

Keys to the game on Friday, expect more screens for the Raptors’ perimeter shooters. Also, the decoy method, where you’re focusing on Lowry and DeMar DeRozan, but the ball is no longer in their hands.

The competitive fighting spirit returned to Washington in Game 3. They will have to kick it up another notch for Game 4.

As Casey said, “it’s a battle”. I believe new battle lines have been drawn up.

Therefore, the Wizards will have to read and anticipate how Toronto is going to play very early to take Game 4.

The main key–Washington has to talk to each other on the floor and don’t get baited.

Tip-off is at 6 p.m.

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