The Toronto Raptors have a highly effective final quarter to put the series against the Washington Wizards on ice in Game 6 away. In the 102:92 victory (BOXSCORE), the turnover duel was of great importance.
An insanely tight match in Washington. The Wizards gained an early lead, which they kept until the fourth quarter, but could never distance themselves from the guests from Canada. One reason for this was the turnover of John Wall (23 PKT, 9/22 FG, 8 AST, 5 REB, 4 TO) and Bradley Beal (32 PKT, 10/22 FG, 6 TO), both of whom made an excellent game but also made costly mistakes.
Wall and Beal were difficult for the Raptors to control over long distances. Beal just ran hot from across the triple line and sank 6 of his 10 attempts from downtown. The Wizards backcourt, however, repeatedly made the mistakes that allowed the Raptors to score simple transition points despite a lack of aggressiveness in the offense, due to the great responsibility they both had on the offensive.
But it was not only the mistakes of the otherwise productive backcourt that cost the wizards dearly. The Bank’s lack of effectiveness was another major reason why Washington ran out of breath in the final phase. The wizards of Scott, Lawson, Mahinmi and Satoransky got 20 measly points. Too little.
On the other hand, the Raptors were not at all convincing over long distances. They had big problems under the boards with Markieff Morris. Beal always had good throws from downtown. And yet the Raptors were always within striking distance.
The big turning point then in the middle of the fourth quarter. It was especially Kyle Lowry (24 PKT, 9/15 PKT, 6 AST) who really pressed the accelerator pedal. The Wizards, where Beal (43 min) and Wall (40 min) were on the field for a very long time, now had more and more problems to defend the pick and roll with Valanciunas or Ibaka.
The Raptors were now more enlightened and made the better decisions. With merciless effectiveness, they set themselves apart from Washington. And they didn’t even have to rely on a big game by DeMar DeRozan. The guests’ shooting guard stopped at 16 points after 6 of his 18 successful field trials. But a big difference to the Wizards was that Toronto’s starters only made a total of 3 turnovers.
The Raptors are now waiting for the winner of the Cavaliers and Pacers series to determine their opponent in the next round.