Another game, another new marketing slogan. This one — The The energy differential showed early and often. For the Wizards, it leapt off the screen in the one, two, or no-pass possessions that featured guys standing around and launching shots because no one else was doing much of anything. It appeared in the abundance of open threes Toronto got. : We’re tired. Washington was on the second night of a back-to-back, and they took on a Toronto Raptors squad that had been off since December 23. The result: the Wizards took a 30-point drubbing.
The energy differential showed early and often. For the Wizards, it leapt off the screen in the one, two, or no-pass possessions that featured guys standing around and launching shots because no one else was doing much of anything. It appeared in the abundance of open threes Toronto got. And in the 62 points the Raptors scored in the paint. And in the 27-8 advantage Toronto had in fast break points.
This is not to discount other key differences between the teams. Toronto is more talented and athletic, and they’re still interested in trying to make the play-in or the playoffs. Toronto head coach Darko Rajakovic shuffled the starting lineup and the rotation, and team leader Pascal Siakam told reporters before the game that they needed a win.
The Wizards, of course, aren’t much interested in winning, even though the coach sometimes makes decisions that would kinda-sorta seem to nod in that direction. Stuff like giving guys in their 30s who are on the way out of the league precious playing time that could go to youngsters who might have a chance to be part of the future.
Or not running offensive actions even a handful of times per game for 19-year-old rookie Bilal Coulibaly, a player the team needs to become a star if they’re going to contend for something other than a high draft pick in the next 5-7 years.
Musings & Observations
- Daniel Gafford was pretty good — 12 points, 8 rebounds, 4 steals, and a block in 30 minutes. He was less efficient shooting than normal (5-9), though he did hit a free throw line jumper with the shot clock ticking down.
- Despite Gafford’s efforts, the Wizards got outrebounded 53-34.
- Bilal Coulibaly did not play well, but he was more active on offense (eight field goal attempts and a 16.6% usage rate overall), and he got some valuable learning opportunities trying to defend Siakam.
- The Raptors had 43 assists on 52 field goals. It was the most assists by a Wizards opponent this season, and tied for sixth most by an opponent in Washington NBA history.
- Deni Avdija was one of the few Wizards players who seemed energetic and excited to play. He was decent — 12 points on 8 shots, 2 rebounds, an assist, 2 steals, and a game high 3 deflections. He led the Wizards with seven contested shots, according to NBA tracking data.
- Jordan Poole struggled against Toronto’s size and his own decision-making. He continues to have demonstrate an array moves that draw oohs and ahs from fans and announcers and don’t produce good shots for him or for teammates.
- Tyus Jones missed shots he’s been making for the past couple weeks. It was his least impactful performance since mid-December.
- Kyle Kuzma played with a thigh contusion and probably should have sat this one out. He shot poorly (just 1-5 from deep) and seemed sluggish when he tried to attack. He managed just 14 points on 13 shots, and five turnovers offset seven assists. He could not be accused of doing much of anything on defense.
- Toronto’s effective field goal percentage was 65.4%, and somehow that was only the third best mark against Washington this season.
