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Jonathan Chen
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Posted by
Jonathan Chen
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It's the Raptors vs the Wizards another time in the playoffs. The last time these two teams matched up, John Wall and Bradley Beal absolutely dominated Kyle Lowry and Demar Derozan, leading the Wizards to an easy sweep. However, over the past three seasons (including this one), the Raptors have amassed a 8-3 record over the Wizards. What will happen this time around?
For the Wizards, its been a tumultuous season. John Wall, their dynamic point guard was out for 40 games. It was expected that the Wizards would struggle without their superstar. However, there was a stretch where the Wizards were beating very good teams with the emergence of Bradley Beal and the whole team playing unselfishly, leading many people to doubt the importance of John Wall (obviously he is still very important for the Wizards). But that was not the worst part of it. There has been clashes between John Wall and Marcin Gortat on social media, Bradley Beal calling out the team and even Coach Scott Brooks calling the team "selfish". Just yesterday, sniper Jodie Meeks was suspended for 25 games, taking away from Washington's already thin bench. Overall, the team has under performed for the talent they have and have a fractured locker room that could erupt after the smallest altercations during the playoffs.
On the other hand, the Toronto Raptors enjoyed their best season in franchise history after winning 59 games and locking up the first seed in the East. And the surprising thing is they have done this by dramatically changing their play style. Gone are the days of Derozan and Lowry isolating and taking tough contested mid-range jump shots. Instead, the Raptors have more ball movement are shooting more threes and defending on every possession. The Bench Mob has propelled the Raptors in many games and has allowed the Raptors to become one of the deepest teams in the league.
The Raptors playoff struggles have been well documented over the past few years. However, this year's team is different. Lowry is finally healthy entering the playoffs, Derozan has become an excellent facilitator and the team is deeper than ever. Add that to the dominant team the Raptors have been at home and this series does not look as competitive as it does on the surface. Meanwhile, the Wizards have not been great and may fall apart early in the series.
I'm taking the Raptors to win the series in 5 games.
For the Wizards, its been a tumultuous season. John Wall, their dynamic point guard was out for 40 games. It was expected that the Wizards would struggle without their superstar. However, there was a stretch where the Wizards were beating very good teams with the emergence of Bradley Beal and the whole team playing unselfishly, leading many people to doubt the importance of John Wall (obviously he is still very important for the Wizards). But that was not the worst part of it. There has been clashes between John Wall and Marcin Gortat on social media, Bradley Beal calling out the team and even Coach Scott Brooks calling the team "selfish". Just yesterday, sniper Jodie Meeks was suspended for 25 games, taking away from Washington's already thin bench. Overall, the team has under performed for the talent they have and have a fractured locker room that could erupt after the smallest altercations during the playoffs.
On the other hand, the Toronto Raptors enjoyed their best season in franchise history after winning 59 games and locking up the first seed in the East. And the surprising thing is they have done this by dramatically changing their play style. Gone are the days of Derozan and Lowry isolating and taking tough contested mid-range jump shots. Instead, the Raptors have more ball movement are shooting more threes and defending on every possession. The Bench Mob has propelled the Raptors in many games and has allowed the Raptors to become one of the deepest teams in the league.
The Raptors playoff struggles have been well documented over the past few years. However, this year's team is different. Lowry is finally healthy entering the playoffs, Derozan has become an excellent facilitator and the team is deeper than ever. Add that to the dominant team the Raptors have been at home and this series does not look as competitive as it does on the surface. Meanwhile, the Wizards have not been great and may fall apart early in the series.
I'm taking the Raptors to win the series in 5 games.
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