Game analysis: Toronto Raptors at Washington Wizards
How the Raptors Beat the Wizards
Toronto's control of the glass helped it build an early cushion that Washington never erased. The Raptors led by 13 after the first quarter and stayed in front even as the Wizards twice pulled within three during the second half. Toronto finally created separation with a pair of 7–0 fourth-quarter runs, while Scottie Barnes finished with 28 points, 14 rebounds and 5 assists and RJ Barrett added 23 points and 9 rebounds. The Raptors maintained control despite shooting just 21 percent from three and worse than Washington at the free-throw line.
The biggest reason
Rebounding
ReboundsTOR 53vsWSH 40
Also mattered
+20Points in the paint
6 fewerTurnovers
+6%Field-goal shooting
Game flow
When the lead changed
TORWSH
TOR led the whole way, with a biggest lead of 17 points · no lead changes
Quarter-by-quarter momentum
Quarter winners and scoring margin
Q1Biggest margin
TOR34
WSH21
TOR won by 13
Q2
TOR26
WSH31
WSH won by 5
Q3
TOR21
WSH25
WSH won by 4
Q4
TOR31
WSH25
TOR won by 6
Game turning points
Moments identified from the scoring timeline
Final lead changeQ1 · 11:09
Toronto Raptors went ahead and did not trail again.
TOR 3–WSH 0
Momentum swings
Key runs
5 runs · 7+ unanswered points
Q2 · 8:56–7:55Largest run
Washington Wizards8–0run
TOR 40 – WSH 26→TOR 40 – WSH 34
Q3 · 9:52–8:23
Washington Wizards7–0run
TOR 64 – WSH 54→TOR 64 – WSH 61
Q3 · 2:35–1:34
Washington Wizards7–0run
TOR 76 – WSH 66→TOR 76 – WSH 73
Q4 · 5:54–3:57
Toronto Raptors7–0run
TOR 98 – WSH 92→TOR 105 – WSH 92
Q4 · 2:56–2:05
Toronto Raptors7–0run
TOR 105 – WSH 97→TOR 112 – WSH 97
Players who shaped the game
Player impact
From the box score
Toronto Raptors
TOR
Leading scorerScottie Barnes
28PTS14REB5AST2STL2BLK
Impact contributorRJ Barrett
23PTS9REB4AST0STL1BLK
Impact contributorKawhi Leonard
16PTS9REB1AST3STL0BLK
Washington Wizards
WSH
Leading scorerTrae Young
22PTS1REB12AST1STL0BLK
Impact contributorAnthony Davis
9PTS9REB0AST1STL2BLK
Impact contributorTre Johnson
20PTS2REB0AST1STL0BLK
Team performance
Biggest advantages and setbacks
What the winner did best—and what it overcame
Advantages
Total reboundsWinner edge
Toronto Raptors had a 13 edge in total rebounds.
TOR 53WSH 40
Points in the paintWinner edge
Toronto Raptors had a 20 edge in points in the paint.
TOR 52WSH 32
TurnoversWinner edge
Toronto Raptors committed 6 fewer turnovers than Washington Wizards.
TOR 17WSH 23
Setbacks
Three-point shootingOpponent edge
Toronto Raptors trailed in three-point shooting by 11 percentage points.
TOR 21%WSH 32%
The numbers behind the win
Evidence
4 signals
Rebounding
Toronto's advantage on the glass was driven entirely by its work on the offensive end, while the teams finished even in defensive rebounds.
TOR53
WSH40
Offensive rebounding
The Raptors collected 13 more offensive rebounds, reinforcing their overall control of the glass.
TOR19
WSH6
Paint scoring
Toronto created a 20-point advantage inside while shooting substantially worse from three.
TOR52
WSH32
Ball security
The Raptors committed six fewer turnovers, although Washington still held a small edge in points scored off giveaways.
TOR17
WSH23
This game’s Winning DNA
How Toronto Raptors got it done.
The winning formula behind this game.
Toronto Raptors
Rebounding
40%
Paint Dominance
30%
Turnovers
20%
Superstar Performance
10%
Editorial weights for this game — not fan-vote percentages or official NBA statistics.
Team Comparison
Toronto Raptors112 PTSVSCapital One ArenaWashington Wizards102 PTS
44-101
FG
30-79
7-34
3PT
12-37
17-21
FT
30-35
53
REB
40
25
AST
21
12
STL
10
6
BLK
5
17
TO
23
The Debate
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