The Toronto Raptors want to get back at the Washington Wizards, who beat them on Thursday. The Raptors are currently in ninth place in the Eastern Conference, one game ahead of Washington.
Injury Updates Toronto Raptors – Washington Wizard
The Raptors
When you watch Toronto, you might wonder why they are below.500. Why didn’t they do anything else before the trade deadline besides get Jakob Poeltl?
Fred VanVleet had a terrible game Thursday at Washington, where his team lost. He only made 2 of 11 three-point shots.
Since VanVleet came back after missing three games for personal reasons, he has made 6 of 28 shots and 3 of 20 threes. His field-goal percentage is usually the worst part of his fantasy stats, but 21.4% is still a very low number.
Once his 3-point shots start going in, his offense will come back. At least VanVleet has done well in the last two games in terms of assists and steals.
Pascal Siakam also had a tough game. He scored 13 points, but only made one of five 3-point shots (6 of 16 FG). He did have 11 rebounds and six assists, though.
Before Thursday, Siakam had scored at least 20 points in eight straight games, but he only made six of his shots, which was a bad scoring night. He didn’t try a free throw for the first time this season.
But the two-time All-Star still had a good night, and it’s the third straight game in which he’s grabbed eight or more boards. He had six assists, which was the same as his season average, and he even blocked a shot.
Siakam will have better offensive games, and on Saturday, he will get a second chance against Washington.
Injury report: Dalano Banton (Thumb) and Otto Porter Jr. (Foot)
The Wizards
On Saturday, the Washington Wizards will try to win their third straight game against the visiting Toronto Raptors. Both teams are in the last two Eastern Conference play-in spots.
In the first game of the two-game set, which took place in Washington on Thursday, the Wizards beat the Raptors 119-108.
The teams are almost tied. The winner on Saturday will move up to ninth place in the conference, while the loser will stay in 10th place.
Kyle Kuzma scored the first 10 points of the game for Washington on Thursday, and he went on to score 30 points for the game. The Wizards have now won two games in a row as they try to find the consistency they have been missing this season.
Delon Wright, a former Raptor, started in place of injured point guard Monte Morris for the third straight game. He scored seven points, grabbed six rebounds, and gave out a season-high 11 assists.
Injury report: Monte Morris (Back)
