Holly MacKenzie - Raptors.com
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It Was Over When: The Wizards responded to the Raptors using a 12-3 run to get within two points in the third quarter by reeling off 10 straight points of their own. The Washington run put Toronto behind by 12 points midway through the third and the Raptors would not get within single digits again.
Turning Point: Kyle Lowry picked up his second and third fouls 10 seconds apart with 9:29 remaining in the second quarter. This is the second straight game the point guard has found himself in foul trouble and he exited the game with the Raptors leading by six. With Lowry on the bench, the Wizards closed the half on a 31-14 run.
Raptors Player of the Game: Jonas Valanciunas scored 15 points and grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds in 29 minutes of play. Valanciunas was 5-for-11 from the floor and 5-for-6 from the free throw line.
Game 2 Game Changer: John Wall was an absolute terror to defend on Tuesday night. After making just five of his 18 field goal attempts in Game 1, Wall torched the Raptors in Game 2, scoring 26 points to go with a playoff career-high 17 assists. Wall was 8-for-16 from the floor and 8-for-11 from the free throw line.
Lowry Leaves Game Early: Through two games in this series, Lowry has struggled to stay on the court thanks to foul trouble. In the fourth quarter on Tuesday, Lowry again had to leave the game, but this time it was after getting tangled with Paul Pierce and suffering a shin contusion on his left leg. He left the game at the 5:56 mark of the fourth quarter and did not return.
Lowry addressed the media by his locker after the game, saying that he would be okay. Lowry shot 3-for-10 in Game 2, but only played 28 minutes because of foul trouble. When he was on the floor, the Raptors looked markedly better than when they were trying to keep things afloat without him.
“It sucks because I'm trying to help my teammates, trying to be more physical and play playoff basketball, but I keep getting fouls,” Lowry said. “It's really holding me back from being out there with my team.”
“I'm not getting clean looks right now and I even missed a couple of free throws,” Lowry continued. “I can't dictate my game on just offence, I can't even stay on the floor. I need to find a way to stay on the floor.”
Vasquez Wants To See More Fight: After Monday’s practice session, Raptors head coach Dwane Casey said if he only had one word to describe point guard Greivis Vasquez he would use the word passionate. Following Toronto’s Game 2 loss, Vasquez said he wants to see more passion in Game 3.
“We have to play with passion,” Vasquez said. “We have to play like we love the game. We’ve done it before. It’s playoff time, so you’ve better play with everything you’ve got. I don't think we did it.”
That’s A Rap…
“It started off with transition and not getting back. The bigs not protecting the rim nearly as good as we should have. Communication on the offensive end, just talking to make sure we close out. A couple of lapses as far as communicating on ball screens. The guards pushing them one way and the bigs caught on another way. Lack of being in the same page in that area. Just so many little things, but I think the most important thing was transition.” - Patrick Patterson on the biggest issue in Tuesday's Game 2 defeat
By The Numbers
45 - Rebounds for the Wizards compared to just 28 for the Raptors. Washington also doubled Toronto on the offensive glass, 10-5.
97 - Points for Washington at the end of three quarters. In Game 1, the Wizards needed an overtime session to score 93 points.
11 - Missed free throws for the Raptors who shot 66 percent from the line. DeRozan played 41 minutes and attempted just three free throws.
28 - Points for Bradley Beal who hit playoff career highs in points, field goals made and field goals attempted. Beal shot 12-for-21 from the floor.
34 - Points in the second quarter for the Wizards who outscored Toronto 34-18 in the quarter to take a 60-49 lead at the half.
They Said It…
“It’s tough to lose Kyle early. In both games, the foul trouble, especially not having the point guard that you are accustomed to at a certain time, [it affects] the rotation and everything. It was tough.” - DeMar DeRozan on Lowry having to sit because of foul trouble for the second straight game
“They got into the paint. They set great screens tonight, they were making their shots and we had to help a lot because of the way they were screening us. They really were setting great screens and getting their guards downhill. Their backcourt played extremely well and made a lot of shots.” - Lowry on Washington pulling away in the second quarter
“I feel for our fans. I mean, we have the greatest fans, passionate fans who’s been with us all year. And that’s where the pride factor has to come in. You know, and the guys have to go out and play with pride for themselves, for the team first and then for our fans. And again, I thought our guys were trying. It’s not like we went and laid down. But there’s another level in playoff basketball that you have to reach with physical play, intelligent play. And all those things have to come together. Especially playoff time, there can’t be mental mistakes. But one thing you can do, you can run back. You can run back, talk and match up.” - Dwane Casey on going down 0-2 at home
Up Next: The Raptors head to Washington looking for their first win of the series in Game 3 at Verizon Center on Friday night at 8 P.M. ET.