After suffering a losing skid that lost them valuable ground at the top of the Eastern Conference standings, the Washington Wizards are back to winning ways with a couple of routine blowouts. But a couple of potentially crippling injuries will test the Wizards’ resolve as they go up north to face the Toronto Raptors, who have a 2.5-game lead over Washington for the No. 2 seed in the East.
Read on for more on this big-time Eastern Conference clash. Meanwhile, click here for our preview of the East-leading Atlanta Hawks as they take on the Boston Celtics.
[sc:NBAArticles ]
Washington Wizards vs. Toronto Raptors Betting Preview
The Washington Wizards have broken a five-game losing slump in style with back-to-back blowout wins at home over the struggling Nets (114-77) and Magic (96-80) in the past week. The Wizards turned the screw defensively in both games, holding both teams to sub-40 percent shooting and a combined 8-of-40 (20 percent) from three.
[sc:NBA240banner ]Curiously, the Wizards have gone on this good run despite missing their second leading scorer, Bradley Beal. Beal (15 points per game) has missed the last two games with a sprained toe and is still considered day-to-day. Veteran Rasual Butler has filled the void offensively with 15 points of his own in each of the last two games.
However, the Wizards’ frontcourt depth will be tested as Kris Humphries (eight points, seven rebounds per game) left the game against Orlando with a bruised back. Meanwhile, Kevin Seraphin (seven points, four assists), their other big man off the bench, has been hampered by an ankle problem.
With some key personnel possibly out or limited against Toronto, Paul Pierce will need to step up with a big game. Pierce has shot just 3-of-17 in the last two games, but those have come in blowout wins. Pierce can still pop up with some big 19-point games, which he did in their most recent meeting with Toronto on Jan. 31. He can also spot some minutes at power forward in case the Wizards are indeed short on bigs.
The Wizards have been struggling on the road recently. They’re 2-4 in their last six, with closer-than-expected wins against the struggling Nuggets and Lakers. They’ve failed to cover all six games. Washington is also just 10-15 this season against teams with winning records.
After back-to-back hiccups at home against the Bucks and Nets, the Toronto Raptors (35-17) are back on track with a pair of big home wins against the West’s big – albeit struggling – guns, the Clippers (123-107) and Spurs (87-82). The Raptors are 8-2 in their last 10 games, but are 5-5 against the spread.
James Johnson has been the unlikely catalyst in Toronto’s recent winning run. Since his return from a four-game absence due to a hamstring problem, Johnson has scored 36 points on 15-of-17 shooting in the last two games.
It’s a testament to Toronto’s deep offense that it’s still one of the most efficient units around despite its usually dependable backcourt’s struggles. DeMar DeRozan is averaging 18 points in the last 10 games, but he’s shooting 39 percent from the field. Meanwhile, Kyle Lowry has been in a funk since January and is averaging 14 points on 40 percent shooting in his last 10.
The supporting cast of Johnson, Lou Williams, Greivis Vasquez, Patrick Patterson et al has proven capable of coming up with big games. Nine Raptors are averaging 8.5 or more points in the last 10 games. Toronto’s superior depth could give the Raps the advantage needed against a banged up Wizards team that may be without a couple of key players.
