The Toronto Raptors (4-2) and Washington Wizards (3-3) face each other on Friday, Oct. 21 at the Verizon Center for their final match in the 2016-2017 NBA Preseason Games.
Start Time and Streaming Info
The game starts at 7:00 p.m. ET. It can be viewed live online thru the NBA League Pass.
Preview
Toronto has enjoyed a successful preseason with notable wins over last season's finalists the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers.
Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan continue to spearhead the squad on and off the floor as it is expected that the Raptors will only go as far as the said starting backcourt will be able to lead them next season.
The two guards were superb in their most recent game, a 103-92 victory over the Detroit Pistons at the Palace of Auburn Hills on Wednesday.
Lowry had 27 points on 8-for-17 shooting, including a 5-for-8 clip from beyond the arc, in 29 minutes while DeRozan fired 26 points on 10-for-18 field goals.
Starting center Jonas Valanciunas also had a superb game, tallying nine points, 12 rebounds, and three assists in 28 minutes, which is something he could bring into the regular season.
Off the bench, backup point guard Corey Joseph is still as efficient as ever, netting 10 points in 4-for-7 shooting, grabbing six boards, and dishing out four assists in 24 minutes.
Head coach Dwane Casey is playing his team like it is already the regular season and so his regular starting unit is expected to suit up against Wizards in this match, albeit only in limited minutes.
Meanwhile, Washington split its first six games in the preseason, winning over the Philadelphia 76ers twice and one against Cleveland as well. Their last game was a 96-91 victory over the Cavs at the Value City Arena on Tuesday.
If the Raptors have Lowry and DeRozan, the Wizards have John Wall and Bradley Beal.
Wall is close to being 100 percent healthy for the coming season and it shows in his play on the court. Against the Cavs, the former no, 1 pick scored 17 markers, but his field goal shooting is quite low at 5-for-13. He had five boards and four assists as well in 24 minutes.
Wall's backcourt partner Beal is also currently struggling, going 5-for-11 from the field for 13 points in 28 minutes.
Forwards Andrew Nicholson and Marcus Thornton continue to surprise off the bench as each contributed 19 and 16 points respectively.
Prediction
A close match to bid the preseason goodbye, but the Raptors will prevail.
