2018 NBA Playoffs: Toronto Raptors vs. Washington Wizards preview

Predictions

This is not a typical 1-8 matchup. Both teams match up up very well at every position, with Washington having a confidence boost after their matchup in 2015.

The Wizards have the potential to possess the two best players in this series in Wall and Beal, and that could carry them to victory if they play at a high level for the full 48 minutes.

However, Toronto’s backcourt is no slouch, and can go toe-to-toe with Washington’s at any time.

The Raptors bench gives them something the Wizards don’t have: The ability to sit their backcourt. This could prove costly, as we saw an exhausted Wall shoot 8-for-23 in Game 7 against Boston last May.

In the end, Washington’s over-reliance on its All-Stars will prove costly. The Wiz simply don’t have other scoring options they can consistently rely on, which makes them susceptible to cold streaks should Wall or Beal ever begin to misfire.

The Raptors have learned from their past mistakes, and will no doubt look to prove that to all the doubters in this first round matchup. It won’t be easy, but Toronto’s home-court advantage means that the Wizards have to win a game outside of Washington, something they haven’t shown the ability to do in the past.

Next: Power ranking all 16 teams in the 2018 NBA Playoffs

Prediction: Raptors in 7