Raptors Must Slow Wall and the Wizards in Pivotal Game 5

• The Raptors will try to stop the bleeding when they host the Wizards for Game 5 of their first round series
• Will John Wall continue to be a one-man wrecking crew?
• Will home court advantage prevail again?

Drake can forget about bringing his broom to the Air Canada Centre on Wednesday, April 25th when the Raptors host the Wizards. The Canadian rapper’s prediction of a series sweep fell apart after John Wall led Washington to a pair of decisive victories at home.

John Wall says he is looking forward to seeing Drake in Toronto: “He told me he was going to be here [for Game 3]. He didn’t show up. He told me we were getting swept. He said he had the broom for us.” When asked if he can listen to Drake right now, Wall replied, “no.” pic.twitter.com/CFCEmz7BJs

— Ohm Youngmisuk (@NotoriousOHM) April 23, 2018

Wall has said that Drake’s taunts motivated him to elevate his game, and he was easily the best player on the court during Washington’s last two tilts. The five-time All-Star had 28 points, 14 assists, seven rebounds and four steals in the Wizards’ Game 3 victory and 27 points, 14 assists, six boards, and four swipes in their Game 4 win.

Toronto has been unable to slow Wall down in the open court and he’s consistently scored or gotten to the line by relentlessly attacking the rim.

Toronto has been unable to slow Wall down in the open court and he’s consistently scored or gotten to the line by relentlessly attacking the rim. On those occasions when Toronto has been able to corral and double team him, Wall has found open teammates awaiting his pinpoint passes beyond the arc.

The Raptors will have to find some way – any way – of keeping the ball out of his hands and limiting Washington’s fastbreak opportunities. If they make the mistake of trying to keep up with Wall they’ll be left in the dust again.

Ryan Murphy 2017-18 Straight Up Record: 394-155 (71.7-percent)

Washington Wizards vs Toronto Raptors Regular Season Team Stats

OFFENSE

DEFENSE

Head-to-Head Results

It’s fitting that the Wizards and Raptors split their regular season series because they’re deadlocked again after four games in the playoffs. Home court advantage has been the name of the game thus far, as both teams have won two games apiece on their own courts by an average margin of 13.5 points.

Notable Injuries and Absences

Straight Up Advice: Raptors (114-109)

For the Raptors, there’s no place like home. Toronto tied Houston for the best home record in the NBA this season and plays significantly better within the friendly confines of the ACC. Dwane Casey’s club scored 1.1 more points at home in 2017-18 and allowed opponents to score 4.3 fewer points. That’s a significant disparity, and it was even wider in the first two games of this series, as the average margin of victory ballooned to 13.5.

The Raptors aren’t likely to win by double digits again on Wednesday, but they should come out on top much to the delight of Drake and their legions of rabid hometown fans.

Team Trends

Additional SU Picks (April 25th)

There are three other games on the docket on Wednesday night and we have straight up picks for all of them!

Let us know who you’ve got in all four Wednesday night games in the comment section below.