The Toronto Raptors now have a 2-0 series lead over the Washington Wizards after scoring a 130-119 win in Game 2 on Tuesday. Can the Raptors win three in a row and move a victory away from advancing to the second round? Or will the Wizards cut their series deficit in half when they welcome the Raptors at home this Friday? The betting line at the sportsbook opened to favor the Wizards by 2-points, which is surprising to some given that the Raptors have a solid advantage in the series.
DeMar DeRozan compared himself to Neo following a stellar performance in Game 2 Tuesday, when he scored 37 points on 14-foir-23 shooting from the field to tow the Raptors to a win. Now ahead in the series 2-0, the Raptors will look to push Washington to the brink of elimination when they pay the nation’s capital a visit this Friday. The Raptors are 5-1 SU and 4-2 ATS in their last six games in Washington, but trends aside, it would be nice for Toronto if they could see Kyle Lowry get out of a slump. Lowry scored just 11 points in Game 1 and only 13 in Game 2 in which he also went just 1-for-8 from deep. The Raptors are now deeper than in previous seasons, but Lowry is still always expected to deliver.
Maybe the Wizards should give Ty Lawson more minutes. Signed by the Wizards for the rest of the season earlier this month, Lawson showed what he could bring to the table in Game 2, when he came off the pine and produced 14 points to go with eight assists in 31 minutes of action. Lawson had been away from the NBA before signing with the Wizards, but that did not seem to matter for the diminutive guard who found a way to contribute against one of the best defenses in the league. Having said that, the Wizards should be urging Bradley Beal more, at the shooting guard frustrated Wizards fans with a paltry nine-point output in Game 2.
The Wizards are 3-1 SU and ATS in their last three home games.
Writer’s Prediction:
Toronto wins, 107-103. With the Wizards strangely favored (at press) you’ll want to bet and get paid on this one.
