Toronto Raptors vs Washington Wizards

The Washington Wizards entered this game on a continued downward spiral, suffering their fourth straight loss after a 122-103 defeat against the New York Knicks. Before this slump, they had secured victories over the Orlando Magic, Utah Jazz, and Portland Trail Blazers. Given their overall performance, it’s no surprise they find themselves at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings. With just 15 wins and 55 losses through 70 games, they trail the Charlotte Hornets—who sit second to last—by three wins, making it unlikely they will climb out of the basement.

Throughout the season, the Wizards' lack of star power has been evident. While Khris Middleton and Jordan Poole are among their more recognizable names, neither has proven capable of leading a franchise to success. As a result, the team is shifting its focus toward developing young talent, particularly French prospect Alex Sarr, who has shown promise in recent outings. His standout performance against the Orlando Magic saw him notch a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Another bright spot has been Tristan Vukcevic, who put up 17 points and six rebounds in a recent game.

Meanwhile, the Toronto Raptors aren’t heading into this matchup in great form either. Their recent loss to the Golden State Warriors marked their third consecutive defeat, followed by a convincing loss to the San Antonio Spurs. This downturn came on the heels of a three-game winning streak, but a particularly crushing blow came against the Phoenix Suns, who dominated them by 40 points, holding Toronto to just 89 points. Currently sitting 11th in the Eastern Conference with a 24-46 record, the Raptors are five wins behind the Miami Heat, who occupy the final play-in tournament spot.

Despite their struggles, missing the playoffs wouldn't come as a major shock for Toronto. The team's expectations were modest heading into the season, as they remain in a rebuilding phase. A high draft pick could be a crucial step in their long-term plans. Scottie Barnes, their most talented player, has been sidelined for much of the season due to injury, but his campaign is now officially over. In his absence, the franchise will look toward RJ Barrett and Brandon Ingram as key pieces for the future.

Before this road game, the Toronto Raptors are not playing at their best. After losing to the Golden State Warriors for the third time in a row, they were soundly defeated by the San Antonio Spurs, ending a three-game winning run. One of the most noteworthy aspects of this losing streak was the Raptors' crushing defeat by the Phoenix Suns, who outscored them by a commanding 40 points while the Raptors only managed 89 points. With a record of 24 wins and 46 losses, the club is now five victories behind the Miami Heat, who currently hold the last play-in berth in the Eastern Conference, in 11th place.