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Raptors vs. Wizards Game Thread: Pre-game updates, TV info, and more

The Raptors head out on the road once again to test their mettle against the troublesome Washington Wizards. Should Toronto still be wary of this team?

By Daniel Reynolds
NBA: Toronto Raptors at Washington Wizards Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Here’s the thing about the Washington Wizards: I’m tired of them. Just totally burned out on this entire dang team, this cast of characters popping up again and again to trouble the Raptors. John Wall (injured, sure), Bradley Beal, Otto Porter Jr., Marcin Gortat — good lord enough.

But wait, there’s more. Now, in lieu of Paul Pierce, they’ve added Markieff Morris, Tomas Satoransky, and Kelly Oubre Jr. to this unfortunate melange as well. All I can say is: when will be free of this Wizards tyranny? When will we be done talking about the team from Washington? When will it be over? Year after year, they hang around and threaten the conference, even though their All-Star backcourt doesn’t seem to like each other very much, and their bench is an abject bunch of misfit toys, and their coach always seems to be in over his head. It feels impossible, and yet here we are.

The Raptors have lost twice to the Wizards so far this year — both times without John Wall, their ostensible leader. On paper, this feels impossible, and yet — argh, the Wizards! Somehow, Washington is still in fourth place, even though, I must repeat, the starters on this team seem to not like each other very much, and the bench features guys like Jodie Meeks and Ian Mahinmi — I mean, really, Ian Mahinmi. In 2018! And now I’m told Ramon Sessions is apparently involved again with this team. What the friggin’ hell? I’m just so mad about all of this.

Please, Raps, just annihilate this team. Steamroll them. Rend them limb from limb. I do not want to write about the Wizards any more times. Be gone!

Phew. OK, here’s John Gaudes with the more technical Raptors-Wizards preview. Now let’s watch.

Where to Watch

Sportsnet One, 8pm EST

Lineups

Toronto - Kyle Lowry, DeMar DeRozan, Norman Powell, Serge Ibaka, Jonas Valanciunas

Washington - Tomas Satoransky, Bradley Beal, Markieff Morris, Otto Porter Jr., Marcin Gortat

Injuries

Toronto - OG Anunoby (doubtful - ankle)

Washington - John Wall (knee)

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