(Photo: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports)
Regular Season Game 9
Wizards (4-4) at Raptors (5-3)
November 5, 2017 at 6 PM Air Canada Centre | Toronto, Ontario TV: NBCSW Radio: 1500 AM
Odds: Raptors -7
What to Watch: Backing Up Trash Talk
The Wizards have been talking a lot of trash about being the best team in the East. Well, if the playoffs started today Washington would barely make the playoffs. The confidence is amazing, I love it. Where are the wins at though? With Markieff Morris returning for his second game, it is time for this team to take control and start winning games.
Key Matchup:
Bradley Beal vs. DeMar DeRozan
This is going to be an incredible matchup. Two top ten shooting guards in the league battling it out. Both trying to validate their team. DeRozan has proven himself to be an incredible mid-range shooter, strong defender, and an impeccable athlete. He is averaging 24 points on 47 percent shooting. He is definitely a force to be reckoned with.
How do you describe Bradley Beal? There is really only one word, elite. Beal is the definition of a walking bucket. 33 percent from three, 50 percent from the floor, and 84 percent from the line. Not to mention his relentless defense. This matchup is going to be fun to watch.
X-Factor:
John Wall Taking Charity
Put nicely, Wall has been pitiful from the line. Scraping by at 69 percent from the line, Wall is a combined 5-16 in the last two games. In my opinion if Wall makes his free throws, that Cleveland game looks a lot different. There is a reason they are called FREE throws. Wall has to start getting these gimme points.
Fun Factor:
The Extended Return Of Death Row DC
Keef is on restricted minutes, but his presence is appreciated. Kelly Oubre Jr. is looking like a completely different player on the court. Hopefully, having the chemistry of these players back will help bring things back to the level they were at last season.
Prediction:
In a battle of shooting guards, DeRozan wins the points battle, but the Wizards win the war.