Paul Pierce did a lot of talking prior to Game 1, but “The Truth” backed it up by leading the Washington Wizards to a big road win. The reeling Toronto Raptors must now rediscover their shooting touch in time for Game 2 or risk going into a deep hole before heading to the nation’s capital. Get ready for Game 2 with our in-depth preview below.
Tuesday also features the all-Texas Game 2 between the Mavericks and Rockets. Go check out our preview of that game here.
[sc:NBAArticles ]Washington Wizards vs. Toronto Raptors Game 2 Preview
Series Scores & Schedule
Game 1 — April 18, 12:30 PM ET, Washington Wizards 93 at Toronto Raptors 86
Game 2 — April 21, 8:00 PM ET, Washington Wizards (+4.5) at Toronto Raptors (-4.5); total 191.5 – view all NBA lines
Game 3 — April 24, 8:00 PM ET, Toronto Raptors at Washington Wizards
Game 4 — April 26, 7:00 PM ET, Toronto Raptors at Washington Wizards
Game 5* — April 29, Time TBD, Washington Wizards at Toronto Raptors
Game 6* — May 1, Time TBD, Toronto Raptors at Washington Wizards
Game 7* — May 3, Time TBD, Washington Wizards at Toronto Raptors
* If necessary
Betting on the Washington Wizards
The Washington Wizards signed up Paul Pierce in the offseason for his proven track record of performing in big games, particularly in the postseason. One game in and “The Truth” has already delivered. The 2008 NBA Finals MVP was the Wizards’ MVP in Game 1 as he scored a team-high 20 points on 7-of-10 shooting. The Wizards improve to 6-1 in their last seven road playoff games.
[sc:NBA240banner ]Pierce was one of the lone bright spots for a Wizards offense that shot just 39 percent from the field. The Wizards’ backcourt of John Wall and Bradley Beal, who average around 33 total points per game, combined for just 26 points on 11-of-31 shooting (35 percent).
Pierce has enjoyed playing the Raptors this season. He scored 17 and 19 points in his previous two meetings against them and shot a sizzling 59 percent. With the Raptors struggling to find anyone who can capably match up against him on the wing, Pierce should continue to provide some reliable offense.
The Wizards were able to combat a bad shooting night by dominating the battle of the boards, 61-48, including 19 offensive rebounds. Nene and Drew Gooden combined for 23 of those rebounds, 11 on the offensive glass.
Nene’s performance will be crucial for the Wizards. He was spectacular in last year’s first round series win over the Chicago Bulls, with 18 points on 55 percent shooting in five games. He has been banged up once again this season, and missed five of the last seven regular season games.
Nene had a very good Game 1 (12 points and 13 rebounds in 21 minutes) thanks in large part to six days off. If he can provide anything close to that production in half the rest time, the Wizards will stand a great chance of taking a commanding two-game lead.
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Betting on the Toronto Raptors
Things did not go according to plan for the Toronto Raptors in their 93-86 overtime loss in Game 1. The Raptors, who were the third most efficient offense in the NBA this season at 108.1 points per 100 possessions, shot a miserable 38 percent from the field and 21 percent from beyond the arc. They were also scoreless for the first 4:30 of the overtime period.
Their All-Star backcourt of DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry went a combined 8-of-30 (27 percent) from the field for 22 points, 16 points below their 38 point average during the regular season. Their other three starters weren’t much better, going 7-of-20. Thankfully, the Raptor reserves stepped up with 48 points, led by Amir Johnson’s 18.
Lowry’s continued struggles remain a major concern for the Raptors. He’s been a shell of his All-Star self – he’s averaging just 16.5 points on 40 percent shooting in 12 games since March 1 – as he battles through a bad back. It’s looking highly unlikely that the Raptors will get the peak Lowry in this series.
But even with a struggling Lowry, the Raptors should have enough weapons in their backcourt. DeRozan and Lou Williams (10 points on 4-of-16 FGs in Game 1) are bound for bounce-back games and Greivis Vasquez, who sent the game to overtime with a clutch three-pointer with seconds remaining in regulation, is a threat to go off at any time.
The key for the Raptors, though, will be their frontcourt play. Jonas Valanciunas (six points and eight rebounds in Game 1) must be more of a factor, and Johnson will have to provide significant production despite playing with bad ankles. They can ill-afford to be manhandled as brutally on the boards if they aim to even the series up.
The total has gone under in six of the Raptors’ last seven meetings against the Wizards at home.
Writer’s Prediction
The Raptors’ offense recovers as they win Game 2 95-88 to salvage a 1-1 split in Toronto.
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