After ending their 15-game losing run against Damian Lillard and the Milwaukee Bucks, the Toronto Raptors are back home and are experiencing an all-time high among their supporters, as if they had just won a championship. In an attempt to end their two-game losing run, the Washington Wizards are in town.
Both clubs have a "1-2-3 Cancun!" mentality, and a number of important players are out with injuries. While some players are seriously hurt, others would have probably participated if this had been a game that mattered for play-in or playoff positions. Kyle Kuzma has a dubious rating. Since mid-March, he has missed half of their games due to paid time off.
With the return of Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett, the Raptors are poised to improve their chances of securing consecutive victories for the sixth time this season, a rather sorrowful statistic. Nevertheless, their upcoming match against the Wizards remains challenging, contingent upon Jordan Poole's performance variability and Coach Darko Rajakovic's adjustments to counter Deni Avdija, who exhibited exceptional prowess in their previous encounter.
Despite the Raptors leading the head-to-head matchups 2-1 this season, their respective positions in the standings overshadow this statistic. The Wizards, trailing the Raptors by 9.5 games, have endured a challenging season akin to the Raptors', with both teams experiencing losing streaks of at least 15 games.
Tonight's game hinges on the Raptors replicating the same level of effort and defensive prowess demonstrated against the Milwaukee Bucks. Despite Giannis Antetokounmpo's absence in that game, it stands as a noteworthy triumph under Coach Darko's leadership. Additionally, maintaining a score above 110 points remains critical, given the Raptors' abysmal record of 2-32 when failing to meet this mark, and the Wizards' vulnerability, with a record of 5-59 when allowing opponents to exceed this threshold.
The NBA matchup on Sunday night will witness the Washington Wizards visiting the Scotiabank Arena to face the Toronto Raptors. The hosts currently hold a 24-53 record, positioning them 12th in the Eastern Conference, while the visitors sit at 15-63, occupying the 14th spot.
As the season draws to a close, the Washington Wizards are approaching a crucial juncture, with plans for a comprehensive rebuild likely to persist into the offseason. Their recent struggles, marked by five losses in their last six games, underscore the challenges they face. Following a 108-102 loss to the Trail Blazers, the Wizards aim to halt their two-game losing streak. Noteworthy performances from Deni Avdija and Jordan Poole contributed significantly in their previous outing.
Despite averaging 113.3 points per game, placing them 17th in scoring, their defense ranks 24th, allowing 118.6 points per game. Notably, the Wizards exhibit a scoring disparity between home and away games, scoring fewer points at home compared to away matches. Their defensive shortcomings are evident, ranking last in points allowed, conceding an alarming 122.7 points per game. Injuries plague the Wizards, with several key players listed as game-time decisions or sidelined.
The Toronto Raptors concluded their challenging season on a positive note, snapping a 15-game losing streak with a 117-111 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. Gary Trent led the charge with 31 points, supported by Immanuel Quickley's near triple-double performance. Despite ranking 19th in scoring, averaging 112.4 points per game, the Raptors face an uphill battle against the Wizards' porous defense, allowing 122.7 points on average.
Interestingly, the Raptors' scoring output varies between home and away games, with a lower average at home compared to their performances on the road. Defensively, they rank 24th in the league, allowing 118.6 points per game. Injuries persist within the team, with one player listed as a game-time decision and two others ruled out.
