Raptors 99 - 106 Wizards
Final
  for this game

Wizards return home in search of 3-0 lead vs. Raptors

Apr 24, 2015 - 2:15 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - The Washington Wizards will go for a commanding 3-0 lead over the Toronto Raptors Friday night when the Eastern Conference first-round series shifts to the Verizon Center in D.C.

The Wiz swept the two games in Toronto, including Tuesday's 117-106 victory in Game 2.

John Wall was at his very best on Tuesday, tallying 26 points and 17 assists to lead the fifth-seeded Wizards.

Bradley Beal scored a playoff career-high 28 points and Marcin Gortat added 16 and eight boards for the Wizards, who shot 53.2 percent and posted a dominant 45-28 advantage on the boards.

"John and I didn't play well in the first game," said Beal. "Our biggest thing is that we have to be more physical, we have to hit them first."

The Wizards finished the regular season 17-24 on the road, but the playoffs have told a different story over the past two seasons. With this win, they improved to 7-1 in their last eight postseason games away from home.

"It's hard winning four games in a series," said Wizards coach Randy Wittman. "And we only have two, so there's a lot of basketball to be played."

DeMar DeRozan and Lou Williams, who was named the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year on Monday, paced Toronto with 20 points apiece. Jonas Valanciunas and Patrick Patterson scored 15 each and Amir Johnson chipped in 10 off the bench.

Tuesday was another forgettable night for All-Star starter, Kyle Lowry. After he fouled out in Game 1's overtime loss, Lowry left Game 2 with an ankle injury and didn't return. He didn't do much before he got hurt, scoring six points on 3-for-10 shooting. Lowry is expected to play on Friday.

Toronto, which led by five after the opening quarter, trailed by 11 at halftime and 12 after Paul Pierce split a pair of free throws 15 seconds into the second half, when Terrence Ross bookended a 12-2 run with 3-pointers.

The Wizards called a timeout with their lead down to 63-61 and completely flipped the script out of the huddle, scoring the game's next 10 points. They ended any hopes of a comeback with another flurry at the end of the quarter.

Wall jump-started what ended up being 16 points in just over two minutes with a three-point play, plus a technical free throw. Ramon Sessions, Wall, Drew Gooden and Otto Porter all hit from deep on the next four possessions, and the Wizards took a 97-75 lead into the fourth.

Toronto had it down to 10 with a Greivis Vasquez trey at 3:23, but the margin never dipped into single digits.

"We had the pace we wanted," said Raptors coach Dwane Casey. "I thought the change of the game was the second quarter. They ran us. That was the difference in the game."

The Raptors have won three straight in Washington.

Game 4 will be Sunday night.






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