The Toronto Raptors aim to remain undefeated in NBA Cup group play Friday night when they host the struggling Washington Wizards.
The Raptors are 2-0 in their NBA Cup games and riding a hot streak overall. After a 121-112 road win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday, they have won a season-best five straight games and nine of the last 10 — their best 10-game span since February 2020. Toronto’s only loss was a 130-120 defeat at the Philadelphia 76ers on Nov. 8.
As a result, the Raptors sit second in the Eastern Conference for the first time since in over five years.
Toronto leads the NBA Cup East Group A standings, having defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers and Atlanta Hawks.
The top team during group stage play will advance to the knockout round. The Raptors could clinch first in the group with a win on Friday and a loss by the Indiana Pacers.
The Wizards are 0-1 in the NBA Cup and have dropped 12 in a row overall after a 120-109 road loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday.
Toronto won three of four from Washington last season. The Wizards’ lone win came at Toronto.
In their game at Philadelphia, the Raptors trailed 56-53 at halftime, but took command with a 44-26 third quarter and held off Philadelphia’s rally.
Brandon Ingram and RJ Barrett scored 22 points each for the Raptors. Jakob Poeltl contributed 19. Immanuel Quickley scored 11 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter during which he drilled three 3-pointers — two in the final 3:01 to help blunt Philadelphia’s rally.
Scottie Barnes, who scored 16 points, had a steal and a blocked shot for the 11th consecutive game to extend his team record.
Toronto was outrebounded 41-31, but the margin was only 8-7 in the fourth quarter.
“A big part of the game was in the third quarter and how we adjusted to things we were seeing in the first half,” Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic said. “I think the most important thing is that we were struggling during the course of the game with rebounding and we did a good job down the stretch with that.”
Reserve Ja’Kobe Walter provided a spark with 11 points and three steals.
“He was awesome, his energy was high-level,” Rajakovic said.
“They were beating us early on the boards,” Walter said. “So it was a big emphasis from the coach in timeouts and at halftime that we have to rebound.”
The Wizards are looking for encouragement wherever they can find it and the second half against the Timberwolves qualified.
Minnesota led 71-46 at halftime and Washington rallied with a 36-23 third quarter.
“A great response from our group,” Wizards coach Brian Keefe said. “But it really was our defense in the second half that held them back. Terrific response from our guys, resiliency, togetherness, something we can build on.”
The Wizards committed 17 turnovers, seven in the second quarter. “Turnovers really hurt us at the start of the second quarter,” said Keefe, who was pleased with his team’s response. “Our guys just kept putting their heads down and played possession by possession.”
Kyshawn George led the Wizards with 23 points, seven rebounds and seven assists.
Alex Sarr missed his first game this season because of a sore left big toe. He is listed as questionable for Friday’s game.
Marvin Bagley III got the start in Sarr’s spot and had 13 points, seven rebounds, three assists, three steals and one block.
–Field Level Media
