Raptors vs. Wizards Preview
WASHINGTON D.C. (AP) – The Washington Wizards continue to be plagued by injuries but are hoping to have two of their best players active in a matchup with the Toronto Raptors.
View Current Washington Wizards Odds
With both Andray Blatche and Nick Young questionable, the Wizards will look for a season high-tying third consecutive home victory when they host the Raptors on Saturday night.
Washington (10-27) fell to 0-19 on the road with a 109-97 loss to Minnesota on Thursday night as Blatche, averaging a team-best 16.1 points and 8.2 rebounds, sat out with a shoulder injury.
According to NBA odds and oddsmakers from online sports book SBGGlobal.com have made the Wizards -4.5 point spread favorites for Saturday’s game against the Raptors. Current NBA Public Betting Information shows that 64% of more than 60 bets for this game have been placed on the Raptors +4.5.
Following a career-high 43-point performance in Tuesday’s overtime win against Sacramento, Young shot 5 of 14 from the field and finished with 15 points.
Young, however, felt pain in his left knee after the loss and was unable to practice Friday. The Wizards would certainly miss him, as Young is averaging 25.9 points and has made 20 of 42 3-point attempts (47.6 percent) in his last seven home games.
John Wall had 14 points and 10 assists against Minnesota, but Wizards coach Flip Saunders wants to see the No. 1 overall pick from the 2010 draft shoot more.
“I talked to John, he was a reluctant shooter (Thursday),” Saunders said. “He had 15-foot shots, I said ‘I don’t care if you miss 17 of those, you have to take that shot, that’s your shot.'”
While the Wizards haven’t had any success on the road, they’ve won four of six at home, and Blatche hopes his team can continue that trend.
“For some reason, we always take advantage of games at home, we always come in with a lot of energy and take care of business at home,” said Blatche. “So hopefully guys come with the right mindset and come aggressive and jump on (the Raptors) early.”
The Wizards had lost three straight home meetings with the Raptors by a combined nine points prior to a 109-94 victory Nov. 16 as Blatche and Young combined for 42 points.
Toronto (13-26) is coming off a 101-95 loss to Detroit on Friday night despite another strong effort from leading scorer Andrea Bargnani.
Bargnani recorded 31 points and has averaged 29.0 in his last three games – 7.1 more than his season average. However, he has struggled in Washington throughout his career, scoring just 11.5 points per game on 32.4 percent shooting over six contests.
After the Raptors surrendered at least 60 points in the first half for the fourth time in five games, DeMar DeRozan knows that his team – which has lost 15 of 20 – needs to bring a better defensive effort early on.
“I think it’s a lack of energy at the beginning of the game,” said DeRozan. “Once we see teams jump out on us, then everybody decides to play. We have to go out there with that attitude from the gate.”
Leandro Barbosa was averaging 20.3 points in his previous four games but was held to two Friday before leaving with a strained right hamstring.
Barbosa will not travel with the Raptors to Washington as they embark on a difficult five-game road trip, which features games against New Orleans, San Antonio, Orlando and Miami following Saturday’s contest.
Toronto, 5-14 on the road, is averaging 113.0 points allowed during its last four away from home.
Bet On Raptors vs. Wizards Odds
Want More From TheSpread.com? Follow us on Twitter and Facebook or Subscribe to Our News Feeds!