Toronto Raptors: 3 takeaways from Game 6 vs. Wizards
By Chris Conner
The Toronto Raptors were able to exorcise more than one demon by eliminating the Washington Wizards from the playoffs, winning Game 6, 102-92.
The Toronto Raptors exposed themselves in many ways throughout the first round. In both positive and negative fashion, the Raptors were as vulnerable as any team in the playoffs. But like all season, just when you start to worry and think about Raptors teams of the past, Toronto reminds you how different the 2017-18 version is.
In a clutch closeout Game 6, the Raptors showed everything that made them a legit NBA Finals threat throughout the season. Going away from the “hero ball” that plagued them in the past and in their playoff losses, the Raptors once again showed unique balance.
Led by Kyle Lowry’s 24 points and DeMar DeRozan’s uncomfortable 16, the Raptors were patient and never looked in a hurry offensively — this being despite DeRozan shooting 6-of-18 from the field on the night. Toronto also got another value performance from reliable big man Jonas Valanciunas, as he finished with another double-double to close the series.
The Raptors used a big fourth quarter to eliminate the pesky Wizards, led by their bench. The best bench in the NBA delivered again with 34 points as key reserve Fred VanVleet returned from injury to provide a huge spark. Toronto produced its best defensive effort of the series, holding Washington to 92 points, limiting anybody not named John Wall or Bradley Beal.
The exciting Wizards duo showed up as expected, mustering up 55 points between the two. Unfortunately, their supporting cast — which was already missing Otto Porter Jr. — only combined for 37 points. Twelve of those points came from forward Markieff Morris who stated after the game “Sometimes the better teams don’t win”.
We hate to break it to Morris, but the better team did win and have all the right to believe this series win was only the beginning of their journey. Before we look forward, however, let’s look at three takeaways from Game 6.