Washington still searching for first victory
While the Wizards started the season with back-to-back defeats, will John Wall & Co. be able to turn things around with Toronto in town?
The two Eastern Conference rivals meet this evening, with a 7 p.m. ET tip at Verizon Center. Online sports book Bovada.lv gives the Raptors odds of -118 to stay hot. Conversely, Washington represents a +108 underdog.
Despite boasting one of the league’s most talented backcourts, Scott Brooks’ team failed to distinguish itself in road setbacks at Memphis and Atlanta. As usual, Wall stuffed the stat sheet with aplomb. Running mate Bradley Beal, however, was basically a non-factor. The fourth-year gunner hit just 5-of-17 from the floor in Sunday’s loss to the Grizzlies.
Toronto coach Dwane Casey, of course, delights in unleashing his own tandem of exceptional guards. DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry combined for 62 points two nights ago, ensuring a 105-102 win over Denver. Jonas Valanciunas nearly notched a double-double in the middle, too.
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Washington knocked the Raptors out of the 2015 playoffs in four games, but these franchises suddenly appear to be on wildly different trajectories. Having said that, the visitors are coming off a hard-fought victory and could struggle to find their legs in the early going. Look for Wall to steer the host club toward a representative effort.
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