(Photo: Tom Szczerbowski/USA TODAY Sports)
Regular Season Game 16
Wizards (9-6) at Raptors (10-5)
November 18, 2017 at 3:30 PM Air Canada Centre | Toronto, ON TV: NBCSW Radio: 1500 AM
Odds: Even
What to Watch: Kelly Oubre Jr.
I want to see Kelly Oubre Jr. really step up this game. Oubre has made a name for himself off of strong defending and that is what this team needs right now. He may be young, but he is someone that can come off the bench and guard a team’s big-name player without any worries. Oubre needs to lead the second unit defensively and end this game before it gets to half time. Frankly, I think he has the ability to do it too.
Key Matchup:
John Wall vs. Himself
Wall has been battling ailments for the past few games, which affected him significantly in the most recent match-up against the Heat. Wall failed to score a single point until the fourth quarter. Not quite what you expect from your franchise player, right? He accredited his struggles to fluid build up in his knee from IVs he had taken prior to the Atlanta game. While I am not a fan of his struggles, you cannot discredit his dedication to compete. Hopefully, Wall can come out and have a game for himself.
X-Factor:
Team Defense!
Put bluntly, what happened against Miami last game is unacceptable. Putting themselves in a poor position to start the game, being down 50-29 coming out of the half, Washington had no choice but to battle back the whole second half. Even though they came close, it was not enough. It is imperative to start every game with a statement. The House of Guards, Oubre, Keef, Gortat, and the rest of the team pride themselves on tough defense and turning that into offense. It needs to come out early and often against Toronto.
Fun Factor:
Reason Not To Panic
While the Wizards are not living up to expectations, they are still having one of their better starts to a season in recent history. The fact that some fans are not impressed with this team’s record so far means DC Family is still on the come up. Wall and Beal have high expectations and that has transferred to the fans. Expect results because head coach Scott Brooks more or less guaranteed it after Friday’s loss to Miami. “Doesn’t matter if you miss, you still have to go back and make them miss. I thought in the second half we did that. Came up short, but great effort. It’s a lesson that we have to learn, and internalize it, and stay with it, and believe in it, and we will.”
Prediction:
Hard to bet against the Wizards. Being a stronger road team than they have been in the past, Washington comes out with a win (hopefully because of a strong defensive outing).