Toronto Raptors: 3 takeaways from Game 3 vs. Wizards
By Chris Conner
1. Troubling defense
After keeping the Wizards under wraps the first eight minutes, Toronto watched the Wiz go on a 13-2 run. The Wizards never looked back.
GAME 3 HIGHLIGHTS
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) April 21, 2018
Re-live a big win on our floor from last night. #WizRaptors #DCFamily https://t.co/mPQ5tyO42o
The Raptors finished fifth in defensive rating this season. Their ability to play individual and team defense finally brought them among the elite. In all three games, the Raps have given up at least 100 points. In Game 1 and 2 they shot well enough to come out victorious. Long range shooting and huge performances carried them.
That’s not what Toronto lived on throughout the season. After giving up 122 points in Game 3, the Raptors need to find some answers soon, and they’ll need to do it with some fight.
"This is going to be a mentally tough battle. Nothing in this league is easy on the way to the next phase of the playoffs." - @Raptors HC Dwane Casey #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/UCNJ27691A
— NBA TV (@NBATV) April 21, 2018
Either way, Washington’s backcourt is the air that the Wizards breathe, and the beat to their drum.
Next: Full two-round 2018 NBA Mock Draft
Maybe they should take a few keys from the New Orleans Pelicans-Portland Trail Blazers series to get an idea of how to deal with this type of backcourt. We’ll find out how they respond in Game 4.