Raptors and Celtics Both Cruise to 2-0 Series Leads

The Raptors are 0-2 in their postseason history in D.C. The scene shifts to Washington, D.C. on Friday night.

Raptors global ambassador Drake was in Toronto for Game 2 to cheer on his team, and to talk trash to opposing star John Wall on Tuesday night. When Washington nibbled the lead down to five with less than eight minutes remaining in the game, it was DeRozan who scored six of the next nine Raptors points to extend the lead back to 12. By the end of the first half, the Raptors had amassed a franchise playoff record 76 points and 11 made 3-pointers. The Wizards’ lazy defensive habits from the regular season have come home to roost in this series – the Raptors are moving the ball, cutting off the ball, penetrating into the paint then kicking out to wide-open shooters and the Wizards are being caught flat-footed on all of it. Washington won the third quarter 32-24, shooting 55 percent, to Toronto’s 45 percent in the quarter.

If anything, the 2016-17 Wizards likely overachieved, stretching to a 49-33 mark despite a point differential more indicative of a team with a mid-40’s win total. Rather than panic, the Raptors responded. He has averaged just 14 points per game on 39.5 percent shooting through two games, and hitting just 27.3 from three.

Washington went on a run, cutting the lead to single digits early in the fourth quarter. Washington would not get any closer the rest of the way through. DeRozan tied a career playoff high with 37 points, Valanciunas recorded a first-half double-double, and Ibaka was a rebound short of a double-double, while also recording three blocks.

Wizards: Wall went 11 for 11 at the free throw line. And it featured plenty of DeRozan, who converted a four-point play in the first quarter and finished the first half with 20 points. Last season, DeRozan had five or more assists in a game 26 times; this season he did that 50 times. They’ll look to improve on 15 turnovers and 10 missed free throws as the series moves to Milwaukee.

But it’s his example off the floor that has impressed Casey just as much and which he hopes will impart lessons on his teammates every bit as valuable as his basketball knowledge.

“He’s going to be very tough on himself, he’ll be in the gym firing extra shots up and find ways to be more aggressive”.

They haven’t and we all need to come to grips with that reality. “Teams have been writing us off all year and we just keep proving people wrong”.

VanVleet admitted that hitting the other side of the backboard on his shot was “probably not the best look for somebody coming off of a shoulder injury”, though he did think a Washington defender got a piece of the shot. “It’s a team sport and when you play together and support each other it’s fun”.

“DeMar is an unbelievable player, all-NBA, MVP-type calibre player”, Lowry said. 14-for-23 [from the floor] is efficient, 3-for-6 from three.

Wright also made a big play in chasing down a John Wall layup attempt and swatting it off of the glass. But the expectation shouldn’t be just to play hard. “Making sure his dad is well taken care of, he’s getting the care that he needs back in L.A. All the players understand it, they know it, they respect it”.