With a gala performance, DeMar DeRozan led his Toronto Raptors to victory over the Washington Wizards. For the Canadians it was their fourth victory in a row. However, the guests also lacked John Wall.
A few hours before the match, Coach Scott Brooks announced that the wizards would have to do without John Wall – the Point Guard has left knee problems and was represented by Tim Frazier. This made the Raptors even more favourite, especially as the game was played in Canada. However, Bradley Beal had other plans and was extremely motivated from the start. In the first quarter alone, the “Real Deal” put on 12 points and presented Toronto with major problems.
On the other hand, DeMar DeRozan also played this role, the two shooting guards fought a partly spectacular duel in the second quarter. For the break Beal was 23 points, DeRozan 22. However, since the Raptors Guard had a bit more support, his team led with 60:55.
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However, the Raptors were never able to set themselves apart, and even after the break Washington stayed within striking distance thanks to Beal, but also Marcin Gortat and Otto Porter, who are now getting better. Before the last quarter there were only 3 points difference, so everything was set up for another duel between the two star guards in the final phase.
But this did not really happen. The Raptors tightened up their defenses and so Beal was barely able to make a name for themselves, especially Fred VanVleet. After a DeRozan threesome, the rapeseed was down to 8 points. Porter shortened to another 5 minutes to go at one and a half minutes, but VanVleet immediately had the answer by triple. After that, DeRozan personally sealed the very last doubts.
The All-Star scored 33 outstanding points (15/26 FG), 8 rebounds and 6 assists in the boxing score. C.J. Miles hung up 12 points, VanVleet and Kyle Lowry each scored 10, while Jakob Pöltl delivered a solid 5 points and 4 rebounds in 10 minutes from the bank.
Beal scored 27 points in the wizards, but failed to score anything in the fourth quarter. Porter scored 15 points, Gortat delivered a double-double (12 and 12), Kelly Oubre scored 10 points.