This will be a big problem for the Toronto Raptors.
Nine straight losses have propelled Toronto into the league’s bottom six, but the Washington Wizards await at home Saturday night for an 8 p.m. ET tipoff in a game that could tip the Raptors’ lottery odds.
Where to watch
Sportsnet and TSN 1050 will broadcast for Toronto. Monumental Sports Network and The Team 980 will set the tone for Washington.
What to watch out for
- That’s a big deal for Toronto’s lottery chances, considering a loss to one of the NBA’s worst teams would keep the Raptors ahead of the Memphis Grizzlies in the reverse standings. Toronto should lose this one, but Washington isn’t going to blow out the Raptors like Sacramento and Oklahoma City have done recently.
- Gradey Dick had an impressive game Friday night against the Thunder and Toronto will be looking for more down the stretch. He is Toronto’s most important long-term healthy piece and any development the Raptors see from him over these final weeks will be crucial heading into the summer.
- Jahmi’us Ramsey has shown that he is the type of player that could help Toronto in the future. It’s been a relatively impressive stretch for the 22-year-old winger who the Raptors signed to two 10-day contracts. He’ll still have a few days to show that he deserves another, longer look before summer.
Injury reports
Toronto has Gary Trent Jr. listed as likely to play. Scottie Barnes, Jakob Poeltl, Chris Boucher, Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett and DJ Carton are all out.
Washington will be without Bilal Coulibaly, Tyus Jones, Isaiah Livers, Eugene Omoruyi and Landry Shamet. Jordan Poole is questionable to play.
Game Odds
The Raptors are +6.5 point underdogs with an implied win probability of 34.5%. The game total is 231.5.
